Michael Ring
Ceist:454 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will sanction a review on the possible extension of the Gaeltacht to a particular area (details supplied) in County Mayo. [16730/01]
Written Answers. - Gaeltacht Areas.
I refer the Deputy to the replies I gave to Question No. 302 of 22 May 2001 and Question No. 68 of 11 April 2001.
The Government established An Coimisiún faoin nGaeilge sa Ghaeltacht to make recom mendations with regard to the strengthening of the Irish language as the everyday language of the people of the Gaeltacht. The commission was charged with, among other issues, the preparation of recommendations regarding the linguistic criteria to be used in the determination of Gaeltacht areas, including the devising of a system whereby these areas might be added to or subtracted from. I expect the commission's report to be available before the end of the year.
It is under such a system, if accepted, that the inclusion of the area in question, that is, Ballycroy, County Mayo, would be considered. Pending the receipt of the commission's recommendations it is not proposed to examine the case for the inclusion of that area in the Gaeltacht.