Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress that has been made regarding the implementation of the 20 year strategy for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39359/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I refer the Deputy to my reply to today's Question No. 45.

As the Deputy will be aware, the draft 20-year strategy for Irish was published by the Government at the end of 2009 and was referred to the Joint Committee on Arts, Sports, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for its consideration. The joint committee held several meetings with stakeholders earlier this year, including meetings in the Gaeltacht, and agreed on a report with 39 recommendations, which I received on 28 July 2010. These recommendations are currently being considered by my Department in co-operation with other relevant Departments.

It is expected that this process will be concluded shortly and that the final draft will be brought before the Cabinet committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht and, subsequently, to Government. It is hoped that the next meeting of the Cabinet committee will take place on 17 November 2010, when the final draft will be discussed with a view to submitting it formally to Government. Subject to Government approval, I expect the draft strategy to be published shortly thereafter.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am delighted to hear that, because we were working on the basis that the final draft of the report had not yet been submitted to the Government for approval. The Minister says it will be published on 17 November.

I am sure the Minister has received a number of representations, as have the rest of the Deputies, about the cuts to Gaeltacht infrastructural projects, and to the role of Údarás na Gaeltachta, envisaged in the Government's revised capital expenditure programme. Will the Minister clarify his intentions in this regard?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is broadly within the scope of the question.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We will narrow it. There were 39 recommendations, but there are now 38 because one of them - the recommendation for debates in the Seanad and the Dáil - was partly dealt with by yesterday's Seanad debate. Well, there are now 38 and a half. With regard to the future role of Údarás na Gaeltachta, both the draft strategy and the report of the joint committee contain a recommendation that a number of the obligations and responsibilities of Údarás be maintained, including the enterprise function. It is also anticipated, in the context of the implementation of the 20-year strategy, that Údarás na Gaeltachta, in a re-worked fashion, would have responsibility for promoting the strategy outside the Gaeltachtaí. This will involve the introduction of amending legislation, which I expect will be done in the course of the coming year.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tacaím leis an scéim chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ach sa Teach seo, cuireadh deireadh leis na ranganna a bhí ar siúl do Theachtaí, do Sheanadóirí agus do dhaoine atá ag obair anseo. Chuir Gaeleagras ar bun iad agus cuireadh deireadh leis na ranganna ag deireadh mhí Iúil. Níl na ranganna ar fáil anois. An féidir leis an Aire a rá leis an Teach cén fáth?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Mar a thuigim, tá athrú intinne tagtha ar dhuine éigin agus beidh na ranganna sin ar fáil. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a chur in iúl do Mháirín de Brún, a bhí ag múineadh na Gaeilge san Oireachtas leis na blianta ar son Gaeleagrais. Tá síéirithe as a post anois agus guím gach ráth uirithi. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuig an Teachta chun eolas níos cruinne a thabhairt maidir leis na ranganna sin.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is mór an trua go bhfuil deireadh curtha leis na ranganna a raibh freastal orthu ag Baill de na Tithe seo.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sílim nach bhfuil sin fíor.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Dúirt an tAire go mbeidh ról lárnach ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i bhfeidhmiú na straitéise 20 bliain. B'fhéidir gur thug an tAire freagra air seo cheana féin. Tá Bille údaráis geallta le ceithe hliana anuas. An bhfuil sé ar intinn ag an Aire an Bille sin a thabhairt isteach gan mhoill. Tá sé ar chlár an Rialtais le fada.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Chuaigh mé go dtí Oileán Chléire agus Carraig an Chabhaltaigh agus bhí mé ag caint le gach duine ar fud na tíre. Will the new role for Údarás na Gaeltachta include the provision of Irish language classes in Oileán Chléire, Carraig an Chabhaltaigh and other areas around the country?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Sin ceist eile.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tá dualgais agus cúraimí breise le bheith ag an údarás, tá sin sa straitéis agus mhol an coiste sin.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An mbeidh reachtaíocht riachtananch?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Beidh. Caithfimid an tAcht a leasú nó Acht nua a thabhairt isteach. Beidh sin dréachtaithe in am chun é a thabhairt isteach.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tá brón mór orm nach bhfuil na ranganna Gaeilge le fáil. Nach bhfuil sé suimiúil go bhfuil ranganna Fraincíse ar fáil sa Teach nuair nach bhfuil ranganna Gaeilge ann?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Níl freagra ag teastáil ar an cheist sin.