Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the discussions he has had or plans to have with the Department of Education and Science regarding the findings of the report, the Irish Language and the Irish People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16744/09]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his proposals to deal with the challenge of bridging the gap identified in the report the Irish Language and the Irish People, between competence and the use of the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16745/09]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 29 January 2009, if the 20 year strategy on the Irish language has been submitted to and approved by Government; when he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16774/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 113 and 114 together.

This report, The Irish Language and the Irish People, has identified particular challenges for the language and also points to a number of key recommendations to secure the future of the language, including the key challenge of providing opportunities for people to move from competence in the language to its regular use.

As the Deputies will be aware, it is the Government's intention to publish a 20-year Strategy for the Irish language, which will lay the foundation for practical action for supporting and promoting the language, based on a modern, integrated approach. Issues raised in the report referred to will be considered in the discussions and formulation of the final Strategy, including in discussions with the Department of Education and Science.

I have received a draft of the 20-year Strategy, which is being considered at present by my own Department and by other relevant Government Departments, which will have responsibility for its implementation. The draft Strategy will be submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht before being submitted to Government. It is anticipated that the necessary steps to this end will be taken shortly.