Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recent statement from the new chief executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta that he plans to take a vigorous range of language initiatives to support and revitalise the Irish language as the community language of the Gaeltacht; if he will support Údarás na Gaeltachta in this respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16667/05]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the launch of the new Údarás na Gaeltachta Strategic Development Plan 2005-2010; his further views on whether this plan is sufficient in itself to maintain and develop the Irish language in Gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16668/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 45 together.

The strategic development plan recently published by Údarás na Gaeltachta sets out a range of strategic objectives for the five year period 2005-10 aimed at promoting the economic and social development of the Gaeltacht so that strong, self-confident Irish-speaking communities can achieve their full potential.

The plan, which is available on the Údarás website, www.udaras,ie, places particular emphasis on actions that will nurture and strengthen Irish as the principal language of the Gaeltacht and includes the following initiatives: to support native Irish speakers, particularly parents, so that they can live their lives fully through Irish; to support Gaeltacht communities so that they can strengthen and expand the social networks that support Irish as the principal community language; to support those learning the Irish language so that they can play a full part in the community life of the Gaeltacht; and to facilitate a revival of the Irish language in areas where there is a low level of usage.

This plan, with its broad focus on the developmental needs of the Gaeltacht in general, and linguistic needs in particular, complements my Department's strategic remit in these matters. I am satisfied that it accords with specific policy directions that I have given to Údarás in this regard in recent years, namely, to target at least 20% of capital expenditure towards Irish language-based investments and to allocate a specific amount of current resources towards Irish language promotional activities.