Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to assist in the training and qualification of Irish language interpreters for European languages other than English; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26525/07]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the extent to which the shortage of Irish language interpreters is impeding the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 47 together.

The Deputy may be aware that I have established a dedicated fund in order to provide funding for advanced Irish language third-level courses. This initiative has been put in place in order to increase the number of professionals with particular skills in the context of the requirements arising from the Official Languages Act 2003 and from the status accorded to Irish as an official and working language of the EU.

The courses being funded under this initiative include courses in the area of translation and interpretation. I should also say that funding has been provided to enable a number of students with fluency in the Irish language attend a dedicated course for interpreters at the University of Westminster. With regard to interpretation, my Department will continue to work with the EU Institutions to assist in relation to training needs they identify, but the position at present — having regard to those expressed needs and the qualifications of students presenting for the available courses — is that training is being undertaken for interpretation between the Irish and English languages only.

I am not aware that issues have arisen in relation to the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003 being impeded by a shortage of Irish language interpreters.