Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
273. 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 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23029/23]
View answerDuring the timeframe specified by the Deputy, none of my Department’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish and 0.5% featured bilingual translations. My Department intends to increase its Irish content, especially around regular posts such as the exchequer returns.
Those bodies under the aegis of my Department with social media accounts have advised as follows:
Between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, 3% of the Central Bank of Ireland’s social media content was posted exclusively through Irish, while 1% of social content during the same timeframe featured bilingual translations.
The Credit Review Office is a very small organisation and carries out a very low level of social media activity with a small number of posts as they have minimal resources to support such activity. As such, none of the social media posts during the timeframe specified were exclusively in Irish or featured any bilingual translations.
Under the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman’s (FSPO) current Strategic Plan 2021-2024, Connecting and Innovating, and in order to deliver on its strategic priority to connect and engage with consumers, providers, regulatory bodies and others to help build a better understanding of its role and how to access its services, the FSPO established its use of social media, through an official Facebook page, in January 2022. 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. Of the social media posts made during the timeframe specified, 22% were exclusively in Irish and none featured bilingual translations.
Home Building Finance Ireland confirmed that it is active on LinkedIn and none of its posts on that platform were exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations.
None of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish. In relation to bilingual translation, all posts can be translated providing web browser translator tool is enabled and that the user has translation services enabled within social media platforms featuring bilingual translations. The Council recognises the importance of ensuring that its ICT infrastructure is accessible. It 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 (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) principles.
The National Treasury Management Agency is active on Twitter and LinkedIn. None of its social media posts were exclusively in Irish and did not feature bilingual translations.
While the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General posted none of its social media posts exclusively in Irish, 32% featured bilingual translations.
Of the Office of the Revenue Commissioner’s social media activity in the reference period, none was exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations. Likewise, none of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland’s social media posts were exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations.
The Tax Appeals Commission uses Twitter as a means to issue notifications to tax practitioners and accountants when a new determination is published on its website. None of the notifications are made exclusively in Irish or featured bilingual translations. However, if a member of the public requested the post be translated into 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.
