Vol. 541 No. 2
900 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the terms and conditions of the policy decision operated by his Department which provides an incentive scheme for members of the gardaí who provide a service through the Irish language to receive extra remuneration; the extent of such remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21838/01]
901 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason Gaeltacht areas of counties Kerry, Galway and Donegal were the only areas chosen for inclusion in the Garda Gaeltacht incentive scheme; when such a decision was made; the date and reasons for any extension to the scheme announced since the original decision was made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21839/01]
902 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason gardaí serving in the official Gaeltacht areas of counties Mayo, Cork, Meath and Waterford have not been entitled to avail of the Garda Gaeltacht incentive scheme for provision of a service through the medium of Irish; his views on whether the scheme operated by his Department is thus discriminatory against such members of the force who achieve the standard and proficiency required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21840/01]
903 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving in the official Gaeltacht areas of Kerry, Galway and Donegal who avail of the garda gaeltacht incentive scheme for the provision of a service through the Irish language; the extra remuneration paid out collectively to such gardaí; the reason a similar provision is not made for gardaí in other official Gaeltacht areas who satisfy the criteria of standard and proficiency in the language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21841/01]
904 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a garda in any area of the country who meets the criteria in terms of standard and proficiency of the use of the Irish language is not entitled to avail of the Garda incentive scheme for extra remuneration for the provision of a service through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21842/01]
905 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the areas in each official Gaeltacht which are recognised by his Department as being approved areas under the garda Gaeltacht incentive scheme, by which gardaí can receive extra remuneration for the provision of a service through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21844/01]
906 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason gardaí serving in the Tourmakeady, Achill, Belmullet, Rath Cairn, An Rinn, Baile Bhuirne, Ballingeary and Muskree areas are not eligible for rewards under the Garda Gaeltacht incentive scheme for the provision of a service through the medium of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21845/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 900 to 906, inclusive, together.
I have had inquiries made into the origin of the Gaeltacht allowance and the position is as follows. In 1934 the Government approved the payment of a Gaeltacht allowance to gardaí serving in the Galway West division. It is understood that the purpose of the allowance was to support a drive being made at the time to promote the use of Irish in the newly formed Garda division of Galway West and to improve the status of the language amongst members there generally. In 1935, the Government authorised the payment of the allowance to gardaí serving in Irish speaking Garda districts in the Donegal division and Irish speaking Garda districts in the Kerry division.
When the Gaeltacht allowance was introduced in 1934 it was decided that it would be paid only in areas where Irish is the general medium of speech and where all members of the force are proficient in Irish and are required to perform their duties in Irish. The areas where it is to be paid are determined on the basis of superintendents' districts as it is not regarded as practicable to arrange for members of the force in any
particular station to conduct all their duties in Irish if Irish is not also in use at the district headquarters.
The Gaeltacht allowance is calculated at 7.5% of basic pay and is payable to members of the force, up to and including the rank of chief superintendent, who are serving in the above districts and who perform their duties through the medium of Irish and whose knowledge of the language is certified as adequate for that purpose. The allowance is currently payable to 346 members of the force. The total amount paid in respect of the allowance for the tax year 2000-01 was £674,653.
|
Division |
District |
Station |
|
Roinn Thiar Chonaill |
Leitear Ceanainn |
Brocach |
|
Baile na Seanach |
Na Cealla BeagaDun CheannfhaolaidhMoin Searlas |
|
|
Baile Na nGalloglach |
Baile na nGallóglachCarraig AirtAn Cheathrú ChaolCill Mhic nEanáinMín an LabáinDún FionnachaidhAn CraoslachAn Fál Carrach |
|
|
Na Gleannta |
Na GleanntaAnagaireArd an RathaAn Bun BeagAilt an ChorrainAn CharraigAn ClocharAn DúchoraidhAn Clochán LiathGleann Cholm Cille |
|
|
Division |
District |
Station |
|
Na Gaillimhe Thiar |
Gaillimh |
GaillimhÁth CinnCarn DollaCarn DollaLeacht SheoirseÓrán Mór |
|
An Clochán |
An ClochánCloch na RónCarnaLeitir FraicAn LíonánAn MámSraith Salach |
|
|
Bothar na Trá |
Bothar na TráUachtar ArdAn Cheathrú RuaIndreabhánLeitir MóirMaigh CuilinnRos MucAn SpidéalCill Rónáin |
|
|
Ciarraí |
TRA Lí |
An DaingeanAbhainn an ScáilBaile an FheiréaraighCaisleán GhriaireAn ClochánAn Com |
|
Cathair Saidhbhín |
Cathair SaidhbhínBaile an SceilgCill OrglanAn CoireánGleann BeitheDairbhreAn CaladhAn tSnaidhmCaisleán na Mainge |
