Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 252: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage of the staff of his Department able to provide services through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14183/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is carrying out a survey to ascertain the number of staff who would be able to provide services through Irish, and also to identify the level of written and spoken Irish language proficiencies within the Department. Therefore, I am unable to provide the Deputy with an exact figure at this juncture.

While the survey is being carried out in advance of my Department being notified to prepare a statutory scheme under the Official Languages Act 2003, we remain committed to providing a quality service to all of our customers, including those who wish to conduct their business through Irish. Any person who corresponds with my Department in Irish will receive a reply in Irish and all key departmental reports and documents are published simultaneously in English and Irish.