Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when work on the development of a strategy for the Irish language will be sanctioned; his views on whether the language is suffering due to the lack of a long-term vision for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10762/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As I have already indicated in response to similar questions, the matter of the advisability of a 20 year strategic plan for the Irish language has been amongst the issues which have been considered in general terms by Fóram na Gaeilge in its deliberations thus far. In that context, the need for the development of a clear statement on the part of the Government regarding the Irish language and its importance as a whole has emerged as a key issue and considerable work is in hand on this matter. I hope to be able to advance the matter at a meeting of the fóram in the near future.

Substantial progress is being made to foster the language and to further underpin its viability since the publication of the Gaeltacht Commission's report in 2002. The Official Languages Act is benefiting both the Irish language and the Irish language community, and substantial progress has also been made regarding the status of Irish in the European Union. A number of new initiatives have been introduced in Gaeltacht areas, including the language planning initiative, the scheme for language assistants, the expansion and development of the summer camps scheme as well as the development of public awareness measures aimed at the Gaeltacht community in particular.

All of these practical measures will assist in consolidating the viability of the language. The Deputy will also appreciate that significant resources continue to be made available to support the work of Foras na Gaeilge in promoting Irish on an all-island basis.