Terence Flanagan
Ceist:650. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps being taken to promote the use of Irish in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14174/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 April 2015
Ceisteanna (650)
Freagraí scríofa
In accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003 and the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, my Department is committed to continued implementation of the regulations under the Official Languages Act, including increasing the number of functional bilingual officials to promote the use of the Irish language and to deliver services in Irish. The most recent skills audit of all staff revealed that 55 staff members in my Department had advanced or fluent Irish language skills, while a further 160 officers declared that their Irish language skills were at an intermediate level. This is approximately 20% of permanent HQ-based staff.
My Department fully supports all staff in the development and maintenance of their Irish language proficiency and has provided in-house classes in recent years, which over 200 officers registered to attend. Officers at some of our diplomatic missions have also availed of Irish language classes, particularly in countries with the largest diaspora communities. New, intensive refresher courses are being developed this year for officers to enhance the capacity of our overseas missions to promote the use of Irish abroad.
Officers are also encouraged to develop their Irish language skills in their own time and my Department is happy to fund appropriate and relevant tuition undertaken outside of office hours.
The Department’s Coiste Gaeilge (Irish Committee), an active group comprising officers at all levels of the Department, meets on a regular basis. The promotion of the Irish language within the Department is a standing item on its agenda. A notable example of their activity was an interactive Seachtain na Gaeilge event, held last month, involving a bilingual panel discussion on the Department’s role in promoting the Irish language in Ireland and abroad. The event attracted a capacity audience in our largest meeting space, and was characterised by a high level of participation in the discussion, including by staff based abroad, who participated via video conference technology.