Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the proposals he has to comprehensively review the operation of the Official Languages Act 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously outlined to the House, considerable progress has been made to date in the implementation, on a phased basis, of the provisions of the Official Languages Act 2003.

The main achievements to date include the following:

All provisions of the Act have been in operation since July 2006, while the office of An Coimisinéir Teanga has been in existence since February 2004.

A total of 75 schemes, which cover a total of 132 public bodies, including my own Department, have been confirmed and published. All 75 schemes are available on the website of An Coimisinéir Teanga at www.coimisineir.ie In addition, 41 draft schemes covering a total of 78 public bodies are currently in the course of preparation and my Department is in discussion with the bodies concerned in relation to the completion of the drafting process.

In April 2006, I made Regulations that updated the list of public bodies covered under the Act and I intend to make further such Regulations during 2008.

I have made 10 Placenames Orders to date, including An tOrdú Logainmneacha (Ceantair Ghaeltachta) 2004.

At my request, Foras na Gaeilge has developed an accreditation system for Irish language translators. To date 98 translators have achieved the required standard.

Finally, the Deputy may be aware that I have issued a notice under section 15 of the Act to 19 public bodies, whose first language schemes under the Act came into effect in 2005, requesting them to conduct a review of the operation of their schemes, and to prepare and present new draft schemes for confirmation. In this context, my Department has commenced a consultation process with the public bodies concerned, as well as a number of other interested parties, with the aim of establishing priorities for the second round of schemes.

In general terms, while my Department keeps the work of implementing the Official Languages Act 2003 under continuing review, I am satisfied that considerable progress has been achieved to date in the implementation, on a phased basis, of the provisions of the Act. As I have stated from the beginning, while it will not be possible to achieve everything in the short-term, the main objective is that improvements in the range and quality of services available through Irish will be achieved over the lifetime of a number of schemes, subject to demand.