Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
272. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23048/22]
View answer273. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in languages other than English or Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that featured languages other than English or Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23066/22]
View answer274. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that included closed captioning and or subtitling between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23084/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 272 to 274, inclusive, together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that of my Department’s social media posts during the timeframe specified, none were exclusively in languages other than English or Irish, nor did any posts feature languages other than English or Irish. 1% of social media posts were exclusively in Irish, and 1.2% of posts featured bi-lingual translations. All videos posted to social media by my Department included subtitles or closed captioning.
While my Department issues “tweets” in Irish where possible, the turnaround time for translations is often an issue. My Department is examining the possibility of contracting a translation service with a short enough turnaround time to make the translation of “tweets” and other social media posts more viable.
Separate from the above, an “Ireland for Finance” social media account is also managed in my Department. None of the posts from that account were exclusively in Irish or in a language other than English or Irish, or featured a language other than English or Irish or bi-lingual translation. Social media videos were not posted on this account.
I am advised by those bodies under the aegis of my Department with social media accounts as follows:
None of the Central Bank’s social media posts were exclusively in a language other than English or Irish, or featured a language other than English or Irish. 3.1% of its posts were exclusively in Irish, with 0.3% featuring bi-lingual translations. All of the videos posted to social media by the Bank included subtitles and/or closed captioning
The Credit Review Office (CRO) is a very small organisation with limited resources, and is not active on social media. The CRO conducted a pilot with 4 posts, all of which were in English. 3 were text and no voiceover and closed captioning. As such, none of the social media posts were exclusively in Irish or a language other than Irish or English. They did not feature a language other than English or Irish, nor any bi-lingual translation. 75% of the videos posted to social media during the specified timeframe featured closed captioning.
The social media posts of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) were not exclusively in Irish or a language other than Irish or English. They did not feature a language other than English or Irish or any bi-lingual translation. All of the videos posted to social media by the FSPO during the timeframe in question included subtitles and/or closed captioning. The FSPO is currently developing a Communications and Engagement Strategy and Implementation Plan which will see further work and initiatives in relation to social media over the coming strategic period. The FSPO’s Communications and Engagement Strategy recognises that all communications must be available in accessible formats to service users, in accordance with the Web Accessibility Directive and the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies. In addition, the FSPO notes the relevant provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 in relation to advertising by public bodies.
Home Building Finance Ireland confirmed that while none of its social media posts were exclusively in languages other than English and Irish, 1.39% of their posts did feature languages other than English or Irish. None of the posts were exclusively in Irish or featured bi-lingual translations. 41.66% of its videos posted to social media included subtitles and/or closed captioning.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council recognises the importance of ensuring that its ICT infrastructure is accessible. It already ensures that its videos are subtitled, that images have alt text and that content on the website is machine readable so that it is compatible with immersive readers. It is committed to ensuring that its website continues to meet the basic four POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. None of the Council’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish or a language other than Irish or English. They did not feature a language other than English or Irish, or any bi-lingual translation. The Council notes that all posts can be translated providing a web browser translator tool is enabled and that the user has translation services enabled within social media platforms.
The National Treasury Management Agency is active on Twitter and LinkedIn. None of its social media posts were exclusively in a language other than English or Irish, or exclusively in Irish. They did not feature any bi-lingual translations. It did feature languages other than English or Irish in 0.61% of its posts, and 79.31% of the videos posted to its social media included subtitles and/or closed captioning.
The only social media platform on which the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General operates is LinkedIn and none of the posts in the timeframe specified meet the criteria stipulated.
For the most part, posts from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners Twitter account link to www.revenue.ie for further information. This further information can be accessed in both English and Irish. Certain information recently added by way of advice to Ukrainians who have recently arrived in Ireland can be accessed in English, Ukrainian and Russian. In light of this, 0.26% of its social media posts were exclusively in languages other than English or Irish, and all of its videos posted to social media included subtitles and/or closed captioning. None of its other social media posts met any of the other criteria outlined.
All of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland’s social media posts were exclusively in English with all videos including subtitles and/or closed captioning.
The Tax Appeals Commission uses Twitter as a means to issue notifications to tax practitioners and accountants that a new determination has just been published on its website. All notifications are made in the English language, however if a member of the public requested the post be translated in another language, this could be accommodated. To date, the Commission has not received any requests and does not use any other form of social media.
