Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress he has made over the term of this Government to advance the use of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15006/07]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the contribution his Department has made to increase the use of the Irish language countrywide; the level of success achieved in regard to achieving this aim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15009/07]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 696: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when there will be a long-term Irish language strategy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15151/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 75 and 696 together.

As I have previously indicated in response to similar questions in this House, a wide range of policies and initiatives in relation to the Irish language have been put in place in recent years. These initiatives include:

The enactment of the Official Languages Act in 2003, with all provisions of the Act in operation since 14 July 2006. To date 50 language schemes covering 78 public bodies have been confirmed by me and published. Both Dáil and Seanad Éireann have approved a draft of Regulations dealing with the use of the Irish and English languages by public bodies in pre-recorded oral announcements, on stationery and on signage, and I expect to be in a position to make these Regulations shortly.

The establishment of the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga.

Securing the recognition of Irish as an official working language of the European Union with effect from 1 January 2007.

The publication by Government in December 2006 of its Statement on the Irish Language. This Statement provides for the development of a 20 year strategy for the language based on the objectives set out in the Statement. It is intended that the Statement, which the Taoiseach launched before Christmas, will be the foundation for practical action for supporting and promoting the Irish language, based on a modern approach and an integrated strategy. Work on development of this strategy has already commenced and submissions on the strategy are being invited from the public. As I already indicated, it is intended that the strategy will be developed over a two year period.

Achievement of significant advances in line with the recommendations in the Report of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta in 2002. A number of new initiatives continue to be implemented in Gaeltacht areas, including the development of public awareness measures aimed at the Gaeltacht community in particular, as well as the continuing roll-out of the language planning initiative. These practical measures continue to further consolidate the language.

Significant resources continue to be made available to support the work of Foras na Gaeilge on an all-island basis.

The continued provision of grants from Ciste na Gaeilge to foster and promote the Irish language. During 2006 four sub-funds were launched within the Ciste:

to fund Irish courses in 3rd level institutions abroad;

to support the Business Fund, which covers organisations such as Gael Taca, Gaillimh le Gaeilge and Tiobraid Árann ag Labhairt;

for Placenames Research Fund to provide bursaries to postgraduate students who select placenames as a subject for research; and

for the provision of Irish language DVDs for children.

I am satisfied that the measures outlined above, including the work of Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the various groups funded from Ciste na Gaeilge, have helped to increase the number of people who are able to speak the Irish language countrywide, as demonstrated in the Census returns. They also help to foster significant goodwill towards the Irish language.