The rights of all citizens to access State services through the medium of Irish are covered by the Official Languages Acts 2003 to 2021.
The 2021 Act is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003 and it is widely recognised that it will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies.
The main provisions of this Act include:
- A target of 20% of new recruits to the public service being competent in Irish by the end of 2030,
- Confirmation that a deadline will be set by which all public services will be available in Irish in the Gaeltacht,
- A commitment that all public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish,
- A provision placing an obligation on public bodies to make marketing material available in Irish,
- A provision to ensure that communications with a public body on social media are answered in the same official language.
Officials of my Department have already commenced work to give effect to the provisions of the new Act and to work towards the development of a National Plan for the Provision of Public Services in Irish.
Regarding the Deputy’s reference to complaints by persons who are unable to access national or local systems of administration through the medium of Irish, I can confirm that this is a matter for the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga, established under the 2003 Act.
The primary functions of the Office are to monitor compliance by public bodies with the provisions of the Act and to take appropriate measures to ensure such compliance. An Coimisinéir Teanga enquires into any valid complaint where public bodies are considered to have failed to fulfil their duties under the Official Languages Acts, under any regulations made under the Act and/or under any scheme confirmed with a public body under the Act. An Coimisinéir Teanga also investigates any valid complaint in which it is alleged that the provisions of any other enactments relating to the status or use of Irish have been contravened.
Details of the complaints investigated by An Coimisinéir Teanga are published in his Annual Report which is available at www.coimisineir.ie.
