Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the cost of translating all State documents into Irish; the cost of printing same; if a proposal for storing these electronically and printing as required has been investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43407/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In respect of the years 2008 and to date in 2009, the cost of translating the Department's State documents into Irish and of printing these Irish-language documents is as set out in tabular form.

In light of the current challenging fiscal circumstances, environmental considerations and for other reasons, the Department actively seeks to reduce printing requirements, commensurate with its statutory obligations, such as the laying of documents before the Houses of the Oireachtas. In particular, where possible, the Department uses its own or other public service printing facilities to eliminate or minimise costs. It also makes extensive use of its corporate website to publish documents in electronic form, from where they may be downloaded free of charge, as a means of eliminating or reducing the need to produce print versions. The Department will continue to keep under review all practicable options to obviate the requirement for document printing.