Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if he shares the concerns of Comhlachas na gComharchumans Gaeltachta (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36426/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Firstly, may I draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that the figures set out in the document referred to by him relate solely to the capital allocations for my Department and do not take account of the significant amounts allocated to its currently-funded programmes.

While the recently published Capital Review does propose a significant reduction in my Department's capital allocation from €105m in 2010 to €86m for each of the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, my understanding is that all of these figures will be subject to ongoing review. In addition, proposed allocations post-2013 will also be informed by a mid-term review. Furthermore, all of the figures are indicative at this time and the 2011 allocations will not be decided until the Estimates process is completed within the framework of the forthcoming Budget.

As the Deputy is aware, in the current economic circumstances we are faced with difficult decisions. The Government has considered a number of measures to maintain a prudent fiscal outturn, not only for 2010 but also to provide the basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation. Across Government, our approach has been to do this in as balanced a way as possible.

Within this context, my primary concern is to make every effort to ensure that the daily front-line services provided with funding from my Department are protected, especially those focused on the needs of the most socially deprived communities. In the prevalent financial circumstances, objectives will have to be pursued with less resources than previously. However, we will continue to strive to achieve good outcomes and value for money notwithstanding these constraints. Notwithstanding these challenges, the Government remains very committed to supporting the Gaeltacht and the Irish language and considers that the 20-year Strategy for Irish will provide an appropriate framework to advance these objectives. The restructuring of Údarás na Gaeltachta as Údarás na Gaeilge and the broadening of its linguistic remit will be considered in this context, taking account of the recommendations of the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. In this regard, I hope to be in a position to present a final draft Strategy to Government in the near future, following its consideration by the Cabinet Committee on Irish.

I would like to restate once again that the Government is very cognisant of the urgency of the situation with regard to the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and it is intended to fully implement this Strategy over the next 20 years in co-operation with Gaeltacht communities and their representatives. In this context, I would like to say that I am very aware of the positive contribution made by the comharchumainn to the development of the Gaeltacht over many years, a contribution which indeed has been recognised by way of considerable State support.