Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 999: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he plans to give local authorities additional funding and resources to produce leaflets translated into different languages to recognise the many different nationalities currently living here, which in turn would help clear up misunderstandings and possible anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14429/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The need for local authorities to respond to issues of multi-culturalism and migration is fully acknowledged. The major local authorities have already been arranging for the translation of relevant information and other material into different languages. Some of this work is supported with funding from my Department's Housing Management Initiative Grant Scheme.

Housing policy has been reviewed in the context of both general migration policy and the sustainable communities agenda. In line with this, my Department is also supporting a research initiative on issues arising for neighbourhood planning, housing provision and estate management policy from increased ethnic and cultural diversity.

The Government's recent policy statement Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities is particularly focused on the building of sustainable communities. Ensuring the continued development and support of such communities and neighbourhoods will provide many benefits, including those of enhancing opportunities for migrants to satisfy their housing needs.