Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
320. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform 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. [21908/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra321. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all forms issued by his Department and agencies under his remit are available in the Irish and English languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21926/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.
My Department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 and, in particular, the commitments outlined in the Department’s Official Languages Scheme which is available on the Department's website. My Department makes every effort to accommodate customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish. To facilitate this, customers can contact my Department at a dedicated Irish Language email address: eolas@per.gov.ie. Due to the nature of its role, my Department does not routinely issue application forms.
The position in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the table below.
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How persons wishing to engage through the Irish language are facilitated |
Form Availability in Irish and English |
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Office of Public Works (OPW)
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A number of OPW staff, with varying levels of proficiency in Irish, can provide interpersonal Irish Language services through written, verbal and in person means. If required, the ‘Foras na Gaeilge' accredited list of external Irish Language translators are utilised when needed. OPW Heritage sites located in Gaeltacht regions can provide all services through Irish. Upon request, a number of OPW sites will facilitate services through Irish, where it is possible to do so.
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Yes.
Bilingual forms are provided within the Gaeltacht regions and any form can be provided in Irish upon request. |
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Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
PAS provides services, through Irish to Irish speakers who make contact with the office. The PAS Irish Language Scheme, sets out the commitments which PAS has made in terms of the services which it will provide in compliance with the Official Languages Act. PAS has a full-time Translator on staff to support the provision of those services. |
Yes. The online application facility of publicjobs.ie comprises: Candidate Registration Job Title and Description Application Form Information Booklet The Candidate Registration Facility is in place in both Official Languages and the Job Title, Job Description and Application Form are available in both Official Languages during the application period. |
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National Shared Services Office (NSSO)
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The NSSO is fully committed to providing a bilingual service. The NSSO is dedicated to ensuring that customer service is available in both languages. The NSSO have agents available in all of its Shared Services Centres to take calls and respond to emails and letters in Irish. The customer service phone lines are also bilingual. The stationery displays the NSSO names and addresses in both Irish and English and all customer alerts are bilingual. Both the Payroll and HR portals (for customers and internal use) are fully bilingual, with all information and forms available in both languages. |
Yes. |
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Office of the Ombudsman
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The Office of the Ombudsman has an Official Languages Scheme in accordance with the provisions of the Official Languages Act. Services provided in Irish include: written and oral services; websites with Irish content in accordance with provisions of the scheme; and online facility to conduct business through Irish. |
Yes. |
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State Laboratory
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The State Laboratory is a scheduled office under the aegis of the Department which provides a comprehensive analytical and advisory service to Government Departments and Offices. It does not provide a service to the public. The State Laboratory has a fluent Irish speaker on staff who can deal with queries in the Irish language. |
The State Laboratory does not provide a service to the public. |
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Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
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The Regulator of the National Lottery provides comprehensive services in both Irish and English and informs customers of their right to choose the official language in which they wish to be dealt with, by way of the organisation’s Customer Charter. The Regulator responds to customers in Irish where it is requested and publishes the Office’s main corporate documents, signage and stationery in both Irish and English, on and offline, in accordance with the obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003. |
The Regulator of the National Lottery does not issue forms to the public.
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