Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
1023. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21905/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003, the current Language Scheme of my Department sets out the extent to which the Department’s services are currently available through Irish, and identifies areas for future enhancement. Examples of services delivered through Irish are : All written correspondence addressed to the Department in Irish is replied to in Irish and any telephone queries are referred to one of the members of staff competent in Irish; all press releases issued by the Department are made available in Irish as soon as possible after issue; web content is published and updated as required in both languages simultaneously and the Department regularly issues social media posts in Irish as well as publishing all guidance material in both languages simultaneously. A revised Language Scheme to cover the period 2021-2023 is currently being drafted and it is expected that the scheme will be finalised for approval by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media by the end of June 2021.
My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the services it provides through Irish. Information in relation to services provided through Irish by the Non-Commercial State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is being collated and will be provided to the Deputy under separate cover.
