Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Joint Standing Committee on the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands
Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge (Atógáil): Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte
Mr. Paul Connors:
I will let Mr. McGrath deal with the public engagement element. I certainly consider the scheme a step forward from a number of points of view. This is more of an integrated process. The previous scheme related primarily to the western Gaeltacht. We are now looking at joining up Gaeltachts around the country. With regard to the Deputy's earlier question, we also have a view to Irish speakers beyond the Gaeltacht. That is the purpose of the strategy. I certainly see it as a progressive step. Have we fulfilled everything in the scheme? Absolutely not. I will be honest with the Deputy. It is difficult to do with the resources we have. We have certainly taken considerable steps under the scheme to arrive where we have arrived in respect of the services we have discussed today. That integration has been lacking, however. I hope that this strategy will achieve that.
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