Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans to promote bilingualism Irish and English in the Gaeltacht; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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In its 2006 Statement on the Irish Language, the Government affirmed its policy to strengthen the Gaeltacht as an Irish-speaking community, with the emphasis being on the transmission of the Irish language to the next generation as a living household language in the Gaeltacht and empowering future generations of young Gaeltacht parents to raise their children through Irish. I am sure that the Deputy shares my view of the importance of Irish survives as the living community language in the Gaeltacht.

While my Department recognises the tremendous advantage of fluency in English, the emphasis in the Gaeltacht will be on the continued transmission of the Irish language from generation to generation. As the Deputy will be aware, the draft 20-year Strategy for Irish was published in draft form in late 2009 and was subsequently referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Sport, Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs in order to allow for a further period of consultation and cross-party debate. The Committee issued its report, including a significant number of recommendations, on 28 July last. These are being examined at the moment in conjunction with the relevant Government Departments and I anticipate that this work will be completed shortly.

I hope to bring the draft Strategy back to Government for approval in the near future. The Strategy, once approved, will provide the basis for future Government support for the Irish language in the Gaeltacht.