Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the amount of funding spent in 2009 and 2010 by his Department on Irish language training for public servants; the number of persons that participated in Irish language training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35315/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Irish Language Training for the staff in the Department is mainly provided by Gaeleagras na Seirbhíse Poiblí attached to CMOD, Department of Finance. Gaeleagras invites Departments to nominate staff for participation in courses. The funding for these courses is provided centrally through the Department of Finance with this Department providing a contribution towards scholarship expenses. For 2009 and 2010, 11 staff received scholarship payments totalling €1,375.

In addition my Department provided three in-house, 8 to 10 week, courses during 2009 and to date in 2010. These courses were attended by 38 members of staff and provided by Gaeleagras at no cost. A further 11 staff participated in an on-line course provided through Gaelchultúr at a cost of €2,200. One staff member completed a Higher Diploma in Irish under the refund of fees scheme at a cost of €2,050 and 3 other staff participated in various short courses at a cost of €1,140.