Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason the Deontas grant was reduced in respect of persons (details supplied) in 2009; the reason they have been told they will not get the grant this year in view of the fact that these persons both speak Irish and attend all-Irish schools; and if this can be appealed. [24420/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge, a grant of €260 per school year is payable to households in the Gaeltacht where my Department is satisfied that Irish is the normal spoken language of the family and that family members are, accordingly, naturally fluent in the language. A reduced grant is payable to households that have not yet achieved the required level of Irish usage and where my Department is satisfied that the required standard can be achieved within a 3-year period.

In the case of the household referred to by the Deputy, a reduced grant was paid in respect of 2007/08 and 2008/09. However, as the expected improvement had not taken place when the 2009/2010 application came to be examined, the grant was refused accordingly.

This decision can be appealed and the Deputy may be assured that the application will be fully reviewed if the family writes to my Department requesting such a review.