Seán Ryan
Ceist:49 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in implementing the report of the Gaeltacht Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28564/03]
Written Answers. - Irish Language.
The Deputy will be aware that the Official Languages Act 2003, which was enacted in July 2003, was one of the key recommendations contained in the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta. This Act and its implementation will address many of the issues raised in the report, particularly in relation to the provision of improved public services through Irish and the status of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht. In order to progress the full implementation of the legislation, I have allocated €500,000 in my Department's Estimates for 2004 to allow for the establishment of the office of the Coimisinéir Teanga. The Deputy will also be aware that I established an advisory committee to advise on the actions necessary to facilitate the practical implementation, where appropriate, of the various recommendations contained in the report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.
To provide for the implementation, where appropriate, of those recommendations, an additional €890,000, which represents an increase of 14% over 2003, has been set aside in 2004. These measures to be implemented include community-based language planning, the further development of third level education provision through the medium of Irish in the Gaeltacht, the implementation of changes in certain departmental schemes, namely, Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge, Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga and Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh, the commissioning of a comprehensive linguistic study of Irish language usage in the Gaeltacht and the implementation of a targeted language awareness campaign focused on inter-generational transmission of the Irish language.
Other issues and initiatives being progressed or under consideration include the submission highlighting critical issues affecting the Irish language in primary and post-primary education in the Gaeltacht. This submission was forwarded to An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta in May 2003. Also being considered are submissions on the linguistic impact of planning policy in the Gaeltacht which were made by my Department to local authorities responsible for Gaeltacht areas. These relate to the preparation and implementation of county development plans and local area development plans. There are also proposals for the re-structuring of Irish language pre-school services in the Gaeltacht administered by Údarás na Gaeltachta, which are nearing completion.
Many of these measures emphasise the importance of adopting language centred initiatives. An additional €1 million has been allocated to further enable Údarás na Gaeltachta to implement the relevant recommendations contained in the Coimisiún's report, as appropriate, particularly in relation to pre-school education, youth services and the role of the Gaeltacht co-operatives. Recommendations contained in the report on the role and structure of Údarás na Gaeltachta are also being discussed with the organisation.
It should be recognised that the successful outcome of the overall process is largely dependent on the co-operation and commitment of all who have a stake in the future of Irish as the chosen language in Gaeltacht areas. In particular, this means the Gaeltacht communities themselves.
Questions Nos. 50 and 51 answered with Question No. 27.
Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 13.