Mr. Daithí Ó Caigne:

Yes, I think I do. First of all, to understand current policy, it is not the case that we provide learning and development opportunities per se. I am sorry, let me rephrase that. As it stands, the recruitment process specifically directed at proficiency in Irish is based on an identified departmental or office need, that is, we are told the organisations need those individuals. As I said, such people are recruited through competition, whether through internal promotion or through the Public Appointments Service, and their proficiency is tested to ensure they have the competency and skill for the job. We are supporting that through a learning and development initiative which has been rolling out since September in respect of other skill sets and which will roll out in respect of Irish language training in the first quarter of 2018. As I understand it, the Senators question was on the opportunities available for people who choose to learn Irish back in their Departments. I can only speak for my own Department, where there is every opportunity. For example, when we sought to identify people who would make themselves available to assist in translation, in answering telephones or indeed in assisting me in preparing for today, people had every opportunity to do so. Their roles do not necessarily require the Irish language per se. It is a case of them making themselves available or offering their expertise in circumstances where we need or have requested them.

However, it is not a prerequisite for the Gaelchultúr programme that one is to be proficient in Irish. The course is available to civil servants through their own Departments. It clearly makes sense for people who have proficiency in Irish to go on it if they wish to increase their proficiency, but there is no prohibition on individual civil servants who wish to improve their Irish language going on the Gaelchultúr programme, as and when it is approved. That is a matter for individual Departments.