Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. Bunaíodh Údarás na Gaettachta sa bhliain 1980. Tá an ghníomhaireacht Stáit seo freagrach as forbairt eacnamaíochta, sóisialta agus cultúrtha na Gaeltachta. Is é caomhnú agus láidriú na Gaeilge mar theanga bheo, le cois í a thabhairt mar oidhreacht don chéad ghlúin eile, an bunchuspóir atá le polasaí Údarás na Gaeltachta. Déanann bord rialaithe ar a bhfuil 20 comhalta, 17 acu tofa go daonlathach ag muintir na Gaeltachta, agus foireann 113 duine, sainchúram forbartha na gníomhaireachta a chur i bhfeidhm.

I join Members in welcoming the Minister in seeing all Stages of this short Bill through the House. Its primary purpose is to extend the term of the intervals of the election of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta from five years and six months to seven years and six months. It also affords us an opportunity to reflect on the work done by the body in the Gaeltacht areas and the crucial role it continues to play in developing the economic and social life of the Gaeltacht.

The Bill forms part of the wider review by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs of the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltacha which was initiated in 2006. The functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta are broadly divided into the economic and the socio-cultural. In the economic area, there can be no doubting the enormous contribution made to the life of the Gaeltacht. Údarás na Gaeltachta is deservedly given much credit for the economic improvement of the Gaeltacht in recent years. There is an appreciation of the link between this employment and the reduction of work related emigration and maintaining viable communities in many Gaeltacht areas. It is evident overall from the analysis that the public is happy with Údarás na Gaeltachta as far as this aspect of its duties is concerned.

In general, a positive view of Údarás na Gaeltachta emerges from the 67 submissions. The occasional submission is extremely negative, but any criticism is aimed at improving the organisation. Údarás na Gaeltachta is currently seen as the most central organisation to Gaeltacht life. It is given credit for the part it played in the economic development of the Gaeltacht and greatly enhancing the standard of living and the social life of the Gaeltacht in the past 25 years. It is true to say the public is not entirely satisfied with the efforts of the údarás to preserve the Irish language and promote it as a community language in the Gaeltacht. However, it is evident that Údarás na Gaeltachta is hampered by statutory restrictions in regard to taking effective action in this area.

Údarás na Gaeltachta has little influence in certain areas that are fundamental to the passing on of the language from generation to generation, for example, through education. It is evident that the public sees the development of the Gaeltacht as a multifaceted process, with economic, social, cultural and linguistic life interwoven and, therefore, it must be undertaken in an integrated manner. Members of the public are aware that there are many organisations operating in the Gaeltacht that are not fulfilling their statutory obligations in regard to the Gaeltacht. Confidence is being placed in Údarás na Gaeltachta and it is hoped it will be given the powers and resources to enable it to undertake the development of the Gaeltacht in a comprehensive and coordinated manner.

There is a dichotomy between the economic functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta which are carried out to the satisfaction of the wider public and are considered pivotal to the economic life of the Gaeltacht regions and what I have termed the socio-cultural aspects of the brief of Údarás na Gaeltachta. According to its publicity material, all of the organisation's activities have the preservation and promotion of the Irish language at their core. Údarás na Gaeltachta collaborates with individuals, community groups and companies which embrace Irish and provide the everyday settings in which the language flourishes.

Údarás na Gaeltachta also works in close partnership with community groups to administer social employment schemes, manage youth clubs and preschool groups and enhance the social infrastructure through activities such as the provision of assistance for the elderly and the disadvantaged. In continuing the good work of his predecessor, Deputy Ó Cuív, the Minister might look at the impact that social employment schemes have made in various villages, towns and cities. The Minister is conscious of the need for the Government to focus on job creation in general and all Ministers involved in this area are focusing their activities to try to reduce significantly the unacceptable level of unemployment.

I make a plea for the social employment schemes. As Údarás na Gaeltachta is a sponsor of such schemes, I hope the Minister can convince the Minister for Finance to provide the necessary funding, because it is far better that people who are being paid to do nothing are given a bit of dignity to get up in the morning and do something. Any initiatives in this area could be budget neutral and not create further financial impositions on an already shaky public purse.

I am glad to have this opportunity to congratulate members of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta on the good work they continue to do on behalf of the people of the Gaeltacht regions. Although I come from a non-Gaeltacht region, I have a deep love and affection for the Irish language. I wish that I could speak it better. I live in County Leitrim and I am closely involved with my colleagues in County Donegal and very aware of the good work they are doing, especially Senator Ó Domhnaill and Senator Doherty.

The level of satisfaction with the work of Údarás na Gaeltachta can be seen from the analysis of submissions from the public relating to the review of powers and functions of the body. I wish the Minister well in this context and in his wider brief as a Minister coming into a very exciting and innovative Department.