Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress he has made to advance the use of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26314/07]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the assistance he will provide to aid the development and setting up of new Irish speaking communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26523/07]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will consider applications for funding or the provision of grants to assist groups in rural Ireland to initiate classes for Irish dancing and Irish language classes in areas other than Gaeltacht areas where there is a willingness to commence such classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26506/07]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the European Commission provides through his Department grants in relation to the development of the Irish language in rural areas of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26509/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 22, 29 and 44 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 include the following:

The enactment of the Official Languages Act in 2003 in July 2003. All provisions of the Act have been in operation since 14 July 2006. To date 69 language schemes covering 124 public bodies have been confirmed by me and published. Both the Dáil and the Seanad 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 recognition of Irish as an official working language of the European Union with effect from 1 January 2007.

The publication by the 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 Government's policy statement will be the foundation for practical action for supporting and promoting the Irish language, based on a modern approach and an integrated strategy. My Department is currently in the process of engaging consultants in order to assist it in preparing the Strategy.

Significant advances have been made in line with the recommendations made in the Gaeltacht Commission's Report 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 and of Údarás na Gaeltachta in Gaeltacht areas.

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:

(1)Fund for Irish Courses in 3rd Level Institutions abroad.

(2)Business Fund — which will cover organisations such as Gael Taca, Gaillimh le Gaeilge and Tiobraid Árann ag Labhairt.

(3)Placenames Research Fund to provide bursaries to post graduate students who select placenames as a subject for research.

(4)Fund for the provision of Irish language DVDs for children.

I am satisfied that the measures outlined above, as well as the ongoing work of Foras na Gaeilge, has helped to increase the number of people who are able to speak the Irish language countrywide as shown in the Census returns. They also help to foster significant goodwill towards the Irish language.

With regard to the provision of funding to aid the development and setting up of new Irish-speaking communities and to assist groups in rural Ireland to initiate Irish language classes, Foras na Gaeilge — which is responsible for the promotion of the Irish language on the island of Ireland — has in place a number of language support structures and schemes in place, including Scéim Phobail Ghaeilge/The Irish Language Community Scheme. Foras na Gaeilge also funds a number of schemes targeted at a range of events through Irish. I have no function in relation to Irish dancing.

Finally, I wish to confirm that the European Commission does not provide any direct funding to my Department to support the development of the Irish language.