Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with relevant agencies and the Department of Education and Science regarding the provision of Irish language translators and interpreters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10816/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Foras na Gaeilge, at my request, is introducing an accreditation system for private sector Irish language translators, which will be the first such system of its kind in this country. Details on the introduction of the accreditation system have been agreed with Foras na Gaeilge and were announced in December 2005. It is intended to arrange the first examination in April 2006, with a view to having a panel of accredited translators in place for both public and private sectors by May 2006. When operational, this will be a significant resource for public bodies in their implementation of the Official Languages Act.

I am currently considering how additional measures could be put in place to increase the output of qualified translators and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in this regard before too long.