Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the value for money delivered by Meitheal Forbartha Na Gaeltachta Teoranta; the research done by his Department on the multiplier effect of money allocated to community based organisations working closely with the voluntary sector; and if he is of the opinion that a statutory organisation could replicate this value for money. [16853/09]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the future funding and role of Meitheal Forbartha Na Gaeltachta Teoranta. [16854/09]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the outcome of recent meetings between him, Údarás na Gaeltacht and Meitheal Forbartha Na Gaeltachta Teoranta; the decisions reached regarding the future roles of these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16855/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 to 171, inclusive, together.

Both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teoranta deliver certain programmes on behalf of my Department in Gaeltacht areas. I am pursuing better service delivery through further streamlining of delivery mechanisms in these areas and I believe that there is significant room for better alignment of functions between the two bodies.

I have asked my officials to explore this proposal in more detail and I have recently also met both organisations in order to set down the broad approach to be taken to achieve the objective of improved programme and service delivery. A detailed examination of the new arrangements is now underway and all relevant parties will have a role in this process.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his future plans for Údarás na Gaeltacht; the consultation he has had with the elected members of údarás on this matter; the future role envisaged for údarás regarding industrial development and Irish language promotion in gaeltacht areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16856/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department carried out a comprehensive review of the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta in 2006. As part of the review process, I invited submissions from the public, which were independently analysed and can be accessed on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

In addition to this formal public consultation process, I meet periodically with the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta — most recently on 24 April last — to provide it with the opportunity to raise directly with me issues affecting the organisation.

As I informed the Údarás board when I met with it last week, legislative proposals in regard to the powers and functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta are being considered at present in the overall context of the recommendations contained in the Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht and the work of the Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht.