Social Media

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Questions (518)

Holly Cairns

Question:

518. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education the percentage of posts made on each of her departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of her departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26577/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

The Department is committed under the Official Languages Act 2003 to providing detailed information on its website and social media in English and Irish where appropriate.

Tweets on the Department’s Twitter account which announce new schemes or policy changes are sent in English and Irish simultaneously. 44% of the Department’s total tweets for the period outlined are bilingual announcements while 5.6% of the tweets are exclusively in Irish.

The Department is also publishing videos and guidance for teachers, learners and parents on YouTube. 43% of these videos published have a corresponding Irish version.

40% of the Department’s Facebook posts are available in Irish. While the Department has a small number of posts on LinkedIn, this account has not yet had posts in Irish.