Gay Mitchell
Ceist:54 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her priorities for Dublin in her role as Minister with responsibility for promoting the Irish language. [11497/01]
Written Answers. - Irish Language Promotion.
My objective in relation to Dublin, and indeed the country in general outside the Gaeltacht, as regards the Irish language is to promote bilingualism in the broadest meaning of that term. Foras na Gaeilge, the Irish Language Agency of the North-South Language Body, is charged with the promotion of the Irish language on an all-island basis. An Foras is active in promoting the Irish language in Dublin and I understand that Dublin Corporation, in conjunction with An Foras, has employed an Irish language officer to implement a language action plan and promotional, advertising, marketing, advice, financial and other assistance is provided by An Foras to individuals, businesses, organisations and other groups in the Dublin area for the promotion of the Irish language.
Ciste na Gaeilge is a fund administered by my Department which assists Irish language projects and organisations outside the Gaeltacht. Funding has been provided to organisations and projects in Dublin in the past and worthwhile applications from Dublin will be considered in the future. A grant of £40,000 from Ciste na Gaeilge was approved for Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge in 1999 towards the cost of a feasibility study on a major language project, Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge, for the Dublin area. Work is in progress in relation to that study.