Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 351: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if any town council has received grant assistance for the provision of Christmas lighting where appropriate signs are provided in Irish; the circumstances in which any grant has been paid to town councils for such scheme; if this facility still obtains for town councils who wish to apply for assistance for Christmas lighting schemes where signs are provided in the Irish languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29304/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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No direct funding is provided from my Department to town councils or other local authorities for the provision of Christmas lights in the Irish language.

However, funding has been provided by my Department under the Fo-Chiste Gnó of Ciste na Gaeilge to voluntary and business groups to assist them in promoting the Irish language among the local business community. In order to qualify for funding, a group must provide a business plan to include specific targets relating to the promotion of Irish and a clear exposition as to how these targets will be met. Funding from my Department is provided on the basis that funding (a minimum of 25%) is secured by the applicant from the local authority or from the local business community. To date, two applications for funding to erect Christmas lights in Irish have been approved.

While the Fo-Chiste Gnó remains open to new applications, I should say that funding is limited and it may not be possible to meet all requests made.