Official Languages Act 2003 Compliance

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Ceisteanna (463)

Gerry Adams

Ceist:

463. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the arrangements put in place by his Department to ensure compliance with the Official Languages Act 2003, specifically requirements for signage in departmental offices, schools, third-level institutions; details of any assessments undertaken by departmental staff to assess requirements; the number of signs assessed; when any corrective actions were put in place; if any or all of the actions taken by his Department were within the designated timeframes set out in legislation; if not, the reasoning for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40545/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

Since the introduction of the Official Languages Act in 2003 my Department has carried out internal audits of the signage on its premises to ensure compliance with the legislation, in particular the requirement that all new signs erected since 1 March 2009 are bilingual. The most recent audit was carried out last month. My Department's offices in the Custom House were audited by the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga for Irish language signage compliance on 18 September; the Department's Wexford offices are due to be audited 2 October. My Department will implement any recommendations made by the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga arising from these audits.