Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had with the Department of Education and Science regarding the linguistic study of the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32615/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Government has decided to establish a cabinet-level committee to consider, inter alia, matters arising in the context of the analysis and recommendations of the report on the Linguistic Study on Irish usage in the Gaeltacht and the Minister for Education and Science will be a member of that committee.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of applications he has received under his Christmas lights as Gaeilge initiative; the applications he has approved; the amounts paid in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32613/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 351 of 20 Samhain 2007 in relation to this matter.

As I outlined in that reply, funding has been provided by my Department under the Fo-Chiste Gnó of Ciste na Gaeilge to voluntary and business groups to assist in promoting the Irish language among local business communities. 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 matching funding (to a minimum of 25%) is secured by the applicant from the local authority or from the local business community.

Four applications for funding to erect Christmas lights in Irish have been received to date this year. Funding has been approved in respect of two of these applications to date — Gaillimh le Gaeilge (€57,750) and Cumann Tráchtála Chlár Chlainne Mhuiris (€45,000). My Department is currently considering the remaining two applications. I should also say that funding of €11,331 was paid to the Dublin City Centre Business Association in 2006 for this purpose.

Finally, while the Fo-Chiste Gnó is open to new applications, I should again reiterate that funding is limited and it may not be possible to meet all requests made.