Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
421. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is the option to engage with the Department through Irish under current legislation; and if so, if she will direct this Deputy to the relevant legal section. [59104/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing a high standard of service in either Irish or English to its customers. The Department is aware of its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003, the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 and the commitments as set out in our Irish Language Scheme 2019-2022.
In customer-facing areas - Intreo Centres and Branch Offices - staff can provide telephone/ face-to-face services through Irish, while our centralised scheme areas (for example, Pensions, Disability payments) can offer a telephone service to customers through Irish. In situations where staff are unavailable, an interpreter service is offered. This service, which can be arranged at very short notice, can be provided either by 3-way phone call, or in-person, as required. My Department can also conduct business in writing through Irish.
The Department currently has four public offices in Gaeltacht areas. All these offices can provide a service through Irish.
My Department is committed to the continued development and training of staff to facilitate the provision of services through Irish and encourages staff to avail of the range of training supports to enhance fluency in the Irish language.
My Department's Corporate Planning Unit has responsibility for the co-ordination, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Department's obligations under the Official Languages Act, and can be contacted by email at gaeilge@welfare.ie if the Deputy has further queries.
