Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if adequate staffing numbers are being provided in regard to the official working language status of the Irish language in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7240/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of recruiting Irish language staff to meet demands arising from the status accorded to the Irish language in the EU is the responsibility of the EU Institutions themselves and I do not have a role there. That said, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is working on an ongoing basis with the EU Institutions to help ensure that sufficient personnel with the required Irish language expertise are available to meet ongoing requirements. In that regard, the Deputy will be aware that in 2006 I established a dedicated fund to provide funding for advanced Irish language third-level courses. This initiative was put in place in order to increase the number of professionals with particular skills in the context of the requirements arising not only from the status accorded to Irish as an official and working language of the EU, but also from the Official Languages Act 2003, under which the range and quality of services from the public sector is being enhanced and developed on an ongoing basis.

A number of these courses have already commenced and it is anticipated that further courses will be rolled out during 2008. These courses will increase the number of professionals such as translators, interpreters and lawyer linguists with particular Irish language skills.

I understand that the EU Institutions are meeting the demands placed upon them to date with respect to the Irish language. I am satisfied that any challenges in the future will continue to be met and that we will continue to increase the supply of Irish candidates with the calibre required to fill the employment opportunities that arise.