Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 5

Written Answers. - Irish Language.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

147 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the funding provided to each voluntary organisation involved with the promotion of the Irish language for each of the past three years; the percentage increase in funding in each case; the source of this funding; her views on the performance of each organisation in the context of their respective mission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4471/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Funding for the voluntary Irish language organisations is provided from Ciste na Gaeilge, subhead J of my Departments Vote. The following is the financial information sought by the Deputy.

1996 Percentage	1997 AmountPaid£	PercentageIncreaseover 1995%	1998Amount Paid£	PercentageIncrease over1996%	AmountPaid£	Increase/Decreaseover 1997%
Comhdáil Náisiúnta Na Gaeilge	385,000	2.12	390,000	1.30	450,000*	15.38
Conradh na Gaeilge	180,000	2.27	185,000	2.78	205,000*	10.81
An tOireachtas	102,000	2.00	110,000	7.84	125,000	13.64
An Comhlachas Náisiúnta Drámaíochta	99,500	0.51	107,605	8,15	118,000*	9.66
Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe	87,906	3.42	90,000	2,38	118,400*	31.56
Gael-Linn	470,000	-12.15	495,000	5.32	440,000*	-11.11
Bord na Leabhar Gaeilge	312,000	2.30	325,000	4.17	370,000	13.85
Cumann na bhFiann	218,000	2.35	223,000	2.30	235,000	5.38
An Gael-Acadamh Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann	190,000	2.70	195,000	2.63	210,000*	7.69

*Includes sums for specific projects additional to core annual funding.

It would be invidious of me to specifically comment on the performance of individual organisations. I can say, however, that it is on the basis of annual work programmes and on the basis that I and my Department are satisfied that the organisations in question are capable of implementing such programmes that annual grants are sanctioned for them.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

148 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she supports the work of voluntary organisations dealing with promotion of the Irish language; and her view on proposals for their future role and responsibility. [4472/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Éamon Ó Cuív)

It is clear from the substantial annual assistance provided from Ciste na Gaeilge, subhead J of my Department's Vote, to the voluntary Irish language organisations, which amounted to £2,306,400 in 1998, that my Department strongly supports their activities in relation to the promotion of the Irish language.

As regards my views on proposals for their future role and responsibility I am not clear as to what the Deputy has in mind. If he is referring to the proposal that the Irish language pillar of the North/South Language Body to be established under the Agreement of 18 December should be responsible for the funding of voluntary Irish language organisations operating on an all-Ireland basis, I would see this as an interesting prospect. I should add, however, that no decision has yet been made regarding that matter, either in general terms or on particular aspects of its implementation.