Irish Language.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2010

Wednesday, 5 May 2010

Ceisteanna (247)

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

280 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals he has to commission the Economic and Social Research Institute, An Coimisinéir Teanga or other research institute to establish the extent of public money being spent on the maintenance and development of the Irish language across the State and public sector to establish the objective of each programme; the extent to which objectives are being achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18169/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy Pat Carey)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions 19, 32 and 46 of 1 April 2010.

As I indicated in that reply, the draft 20-Year Strategy for Irish has been published and referred to the Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. I look forward to the opportunity to receive the outcome of the Committee's deliberations in due course. Once I have received the Committee's views, I hope to bring the draft Strategy to Government for approval as soon as possible thereafter.

The initial phase of the Strategy will focus on putting in place practical implementation and co-ordination arrangements, including the effective alignment of resources with strategic goals and arrangements for ongoing monitoring and evaluation. In that context, proposals of the nature referred to by the Deputy would not be considered a priority at this time.