Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on developing an Irish Language Centre for West Clare; if he will establish a linguistic study in County Clare with a view to setting up a Gaeltacht in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34153/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Linguistic Study of the Use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, which was published in 2007, sets out a proposed sociolinguistic profile and assessment criteria by which Gaeltacht status might be established. These include the percentage of the population that are daily speakers of Irish, Irish-speaking networks, language planning and policies in the community and youth services.

Recommendations from the linguistic study on granting Gaeltacht status based on linguistic criteria have been incorporated into the draft 20-year strategy for Irish. Also included in the draft strategy is a provision for the establishment of regional centres for Irish language promotion and activities.

The Deputy will be aware that the draft strategy has been under consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, which provided a report in the matter in July last, including a range of recommendations. The committee's recommendations are currently being assessed by the relevant Government Departments and I hope to be in a position to bring the final draft of the strategy back to Government for approval in the coming period.