Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenditure per year by his Department for the preparatory course for Irish language lawyer-linguist positions in the European institutions run by institutions (details supplied) since the creation of the course; if he will outline per year the total money given to each institution for the running of the course; the number of students who gained employment in European institutions after completion of the preparatory course since its inception; the measures in place to ensure that students do not abuse the rent subsidy that is allocated to students undertaking the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18411/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The recognition of Irish as an official working language of the European Union with effect from 1 January 2007 presented the EU Institutions with a significant recruitment challenge. The Government took a number of steps to assist the EU Institutions in meeting this challenge and to ensure the availability of sufficient numbers of qualified personnel to support the new status of Irish at the EU. These steps included the establishment in 2006 of a dedicated fund – the Advanced Irish Languages Skills Initiative - to provide funding for specialised Irish language third-level courses.

The recognition of Irish as an official and working EU language created in particular a need for lawyer-linguists proficient in the Irish language. In this regard, I am appreciative of the co-operation of the institutions referred to in the Deputy's Question in developing a short-term intensive course for lawyer-linguists. To date, this course has been provided in 2007, 2008 and 2009. It is intended to provide a further course in 2010 and in subsequent years depending on sufficient uptake, continuing demand and the availability of resources.

Having regard to the circumstances arising - particularly the urgent need to ensure that lawyer-linguists proficient in Irish became available as speedily as possible - it was agreed that each participant on the course would be paid a stipend, as well as accommodation expenses in the case of participants based outside Dublin. The payment of a stipend was intended to help compensate participants who would be unable to work while attending the course. The relevant institution provided my Department with detailed information in relation to the students who qualified for accommodation costs prior to funding being made available in this regard.

To date, 4 participants have gone on to secure employment with EU institutions, while I am advised that other participants from the 2009 course are currently within the recruitment process. The table sets out the total level of funding provided by my Department in respect of the lawyer-linguist course in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009, as well as the details regarding participant numbers requested by the Deputy.

Finally, I wish to reiterate that the provision of funding to support the status of Irish at the EU remains a priority. However, in view of the changed economic circumstances, the question of payment of a stipend and accommodation expenses is currently under review. I understand that the relevant institution has advised that it is not aware of any incidents of these payments having been abused in the past.