Social Media

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021

Tuesday, 18 May 2021

Questions (577)

Holly Cairns

Question:

577. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection 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. [26588/21]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

To date, the Department has not posted messages exclusively in Irish or bilingually on its Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn social media platforms. However, where a person seeks to communicate with the Department in Irish, including through such platforms, the Department will do so.

The Department is also committed to meeting its obligations, as set out in the Official Languages Act, 2003. In doing so, major publications and key information are published in Irish and are also posted on the Department’s website in Irish at the same time as they are published in English or as soon as possible afterwards.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.