Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 57: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Department of Social and Family Affairs estimates that the cost of complying with Irish language regulations under the Official Languages Act 2003 will cost the Department in excess of €1 million per year; if his further attention has further been drawn to the annual costs for other Departments to meet these requirements; his views on whether this is placing an unnecessary burden on the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22583/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department understands from the Department of Social and Family Affairs that a sum of €500,000 has been set aside in that Department's administrative budget in 2005 to meet costs directly associated with the delivery of services to the public through the Irish language in accordance with the Official Languages Act.

I am not in a position to comment in detail on the estimate until I have seen a draft scheme, which I await from the Department concerned. However, the administrative budget voted by this House to the Department concerned is €306.195 million in 2005, which includes a €29 million increase over 2004. The estimate provided to my Department amounts to about one sixth of 1% of the administrative budget figure, which seems good value for money for the cost of providing its services to the portion of the population who wish to do their business with the Department in Irish.

In light of the foregoing, I regard the Department of Social and Family Affairs allocation of €500,000 to meets costs directly associated with the Official Languages Act as appropriate and reasonable.