Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to develop a 20 year strategic plan for the growth in the use of Irish and in bilingualism by 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28670/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 10 of 26 June 2008, in which I set out the progress that has been made in respect of the public consultation process element of compiling a 20-year Strategy for the Irish language.

Firstly, public meetings have taken place over the period 30 April to 14 May in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Galway and Sligo.

Secondly, a survey that was devised to facilitate input from people who were unable to attend the public meetings is available online (at www.plean2028.ie), both in Irish and English. In this regard, I would like to point out that, in order to facilitate people wishing to participate in the process but who have difficulties in operating or accessing technology, surveys can be completed in hard copy also.

In terms of the next steps in the overall process, it is proposed to commence preparation of a draft discussion document outlining principal issues for the proposed Strategy, taking into account the views and recommendations expressed by the public, both at public meetings and through the completed surveys, together with the views of other stakeholders. It is expected that this paper will be available for further public consultation in the autumn. Thereafter, my Department will prepare a draft Strategy for my consideration and for submission for Government approval by the end of the year.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to provide funding to the Higher Education Authority to ensure that the training necessary in Irish Language translation is provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28672/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to increase support for the public service to develop the capacity to provide comprehensive services through the medium of the Irish Language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28673/08]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to work to extend the number of professionals who are available to serve the Irish language speaking and Gaeltacht communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28674/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 451, inclusive, together.

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions No. 10 and 33 of 15 Bealtaine 2008 in relation to these matters, in which I indicated that Foras na Gaeilge has a statutory responsibility for providing advice and assistance to public bodies with regard to the delivery of services through Irish. In that context, my Department is continuing to work with Foras na Gaeilge and other interested parties in relation to putting in place resources to enhance the capacity of the public service to provide services through Irish. These include:

Development of a Quality Assurance System for Translators

Foras na Gaeilge has, at my request, developed an accreditation system for Irish language translators. To date 98 translators have achieved the required standard. I understand that the results of the accreditation examination held earlier this year will be available within the next fortnight and that this will significantly increase the number of accredited translators. The system is a significant resource for public bodies in their implementation of the Official Languages Act. In addition, support is offered to assist translators in achieving the standard required for accreditation. The accreditation system will be a continuous process and will involve examination of translators at regular intervals on an ongoing basis.

Establishment of Dedicated Fund for 3rd level courses

In 2006 I established a dedicated fund for advanced Irish language third level courses to help increase the number of professionals with particular skills in the context of the requirements arising from the Official Languages Act 2003 and from the status accorded to Irish as an official and working language of the EU. My Department is working in collaboration with the HEA, King's Inns and a number of other bodies and institutions in relation to the development of such courses. At the request of my Department, the HEA invited proposals from the third level sector in this regard in 2006 and again towards the end of last year. A number of courses were approved in 2006 and 2007, and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I recently approved funding for a number of additional courses. Courses being funded under this initiative include courses in the area of translation and interpretation. A number of courses have already commenced and it is hoped that further courses can be rolled out during 2008. Funding has also been provided to enable a number students with fluency in the Irish language attend a dedicated course for interpreters at the University of Westminster.

Development of Irish Language Translation Memory Resource

During 2007, my Department, in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge, began the process of developing, on a phased basis, a Translation Memory resource for the Irish language. Translation Memory is based on the reuse of already translated material in order to save time and money. The intention is that this resource will become available during 2008. When developed, this will be a very practical and important resource that will facilitate public bodies in complying with their obligations under the Official Languages Act in a more effective manner by reducing the costs associated with translation to the Irish language.

Other Resources in Place

A number of additional resources and supports have also been made available for public bodies to aid them in developing the range and quality of services they provide through the Irish language. These include a testing and certification system for adult learners of Irish developed by the Language Centre, NUI Maynooth, which involves the awarding of qualifications with Europe-wide recognition, as well as a glossary of signage and other terms established by Foras na Gaeilge on its website www.gaeilge.ie which continues to be developed and expanded. In addition, during 2007, I provided a research grant, from my Department's Ciste na Gaeilge, to Fiontar, Dublin City University, to assist in the development of a database of EU and legal terminology in the Irish language. In addition, King's Inns, with financial assistance from my Department, provided an intensive Irish language course in 2007 to assist candidates for positions as Lawyer Linguists in the EU Institutions to reach the necessary standard. The intensive course is being provided again this year and the Society has indicated that it intends to provide the three year Barrister-at-Law through Irish as from the 2009/2010 academic year.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to establish a senior officials' group between the Department of Education and Science and his Department to enhance the actions of both Departments and their agencies in addressing challenges in supporting the Irish language including strengthening the teaching of Irish throughout the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28675/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 197 of 14 Bealtaine 2008.

A high-level group has been established at Secretary General level between my Department and the Department of Education and Science and meets periodically to consider matters of common interest in the context of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. Joint actions arising from the work of the group are advanced through regular engagement at Assistant Secretary level between the two Departments, as well as interaction with relevant agencies, including Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to develop a comprehensive plan based on the linguistic study of the gaeltacht with clear and effective measures for the continued preservation and development of the language in the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28678/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a Cabinet Committee has been established by Government to examine issues arising in the context of the analysis and recommendations made in the Report on the Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, and to agree an integrated action plan to ensure the preservation and development of the Irish language as the community language in the Gaeltacht.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government proposal to provide for an extension to the Irish language network of crèches in the Gaeltacht; and to ensure that support is given to crèches which want to set up facilities through Irish nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28679/08]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 14 Bealtaine 2008.

As outlined in my reply, primary responsibility for assisting crèches in the Gaeltacht and throughout the State now rests with the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. However, Údarás na Gaeltachta and my Department have also provided assistance for the provision of childcare facilities in the Gaeltacht in the form of capital funding and the provision of suitable sites.

In addition, an tÚdarás may provide feasibility study grants to help community groups in Gaeltacht areas with design and other related preliminary costs associated with the building of such facilities.

Discussions are ongoing with the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the provision of Irish Language crèche services in the Gaeltacht.