Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy will be aware, Muintir Chrónáin is the lead organisation, which prepared the Clondalkin language plan approved in 2020. Annual funding of €96,000 is provided to the Irish Language Network to implement its language plan and to employ a full time Irish-language officer. Foras na Gaeilge continually monitors the implementation of specified actions in the Clondalkin language plan in its role as the organisation tasked with supporting and funding Muintir Chrónáin. Separately, it is intended that a review of the Clondalkin language plan will be carried out in the sixth year of the implementation, a process I discussed with Deputy Conor McGuinness.

My Department intends to publish the first evaluation of language plans in the Gaeltacht language planning areas in the coming weeks. They will be used to further inform the methodology for monitoring plans under the Irish language process, including Clondalkin. Gaeilge 365 is the first innovation unit to operate through Irish in the public service. The fundamental aim of this project is to put an innovative approach in place to create more opportunities for the public to speak Irish through the services of the four Dublin local authorities including those servicing Dublin Bay North. Indicators used to measure progress include the following: for year one, to develop 16 innovative tested language projects; create 30,000 plus Irish-speaking opportunities through council services; root at least two innovative language projects in the councils; scale at least one innovative language projects through additional funding sources; at least three empowerment programmes in hand with over 45 participants annually; launch the policy book; and 100,000 plus social media views on related content. These targets will be built upon for years two, three and four of this initiative. Tá muinín agam go mbeidh seans ag muintir Dháilcheantar an Teachta úsáid a bhaint as Gaeilge 365 agus na deiseanna a ghabhann leis. Mar is eol don Teachta, tá gealltanas sa chlár Rialtais chun Gaeilge 365 a leathnú amach go dtí údaráis áitiúla eile sa Stát.

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