Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will tackle and begin implementing the 20-year Strategy on the Irish Language 2010-2030, starting with the early publication of the implementation plan being prepared by his Department, in view of the fact that the Irish language deserves to be maintained and enhanced for this and future generations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government pledges support for the 20-Year Strategy on the Irish Language 2010-2030 and for the delivery of its achievable goals and targets. It must be acknowledged that the implementation of the Strategy can only be achieved within the resources available, given the economic pressures facing the country at present. A number of steps have been taken to progress the implementation of the Strategy: - The Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht has been re-established under the chairmanship of An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D., to drive forward key priorities under the Strategy and has met twice, in April and in May. - A Strategy Unit has been established in my Department to facilitate the implementation of the Strategy. An implementation plan for 2011 has been prepared and work is in progress to prepare a three-year implementation plan for the Strategy. These plans will be published on my Department's website in due course, following their consideration by a senior officials group made up of high-level officials from relevant Departments, which supports the Cabinet Committee. - In order to ensure effective co-operation with other key stakeholders, a number of high-level working groups have been established as follows:

- between my Department and the Department of Education and Skills regarding education under the Strategy;

- between my Department, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge regarding the implementation of the Strategy by those public bodies;

- between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation regarding enterprise investment in the Gaeltacht and associated issues.

The Government has also taken a number of key policy decisions regarding the 20-Year Strategy.

With regard to the implementation structures for the Strategy, my Department will retain primary responsibility for matters concerning the Irish language, both within and outside of the Gaeltacht. Foras na Gaeilge will continue to fulfil its responsibilities on an all-island basis as an agency of the North South Language Implementation Body. My Department, in partnership with relevant State bodies, will be responsible for the implementation of the Strategy outside the Gaeltacht. The potential for Foras na Gaeilge to deliver certain elements of the Strategy, on an agreed basis, will be explored. Údarás na Gaeltachta will be responsible for the implementation of the Strategy within the Gaeltacht.

With regard to the future definition of the Gaeltacht under the 20-Year Strategy, the Government has decided that the new definition will be based on linguistic criteria rather than on geographical areas, as is currently the case. The Gaeltacht Bill, which is currently being drafted by my Department, will provide for Orders to be approved by Government which will specify areas as Gaeltacht areas, as 'network Gaeltacht' areas or as Gaeltacht Service Towns. In addition, the Government has decided that the status quo will be maintained regarding the current functions of Údarás na Gaeltachta, including its enterprise functions, subject to the following: - statutory provision to enable the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to direct Údarás na Gaeltachta to focus its limited resources towards specific enterprise sectors; and - the development of a mechanism to facilitate Údarás na Gaeltachta to cooperate with other enterprise agencies, particularly with regard to significant Gaeltacht projects with high potential.

The Government has also decided that provision will be made under the Gaeltacht Bill to significantly reduce the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta and to end the requirement to hold elections. It is my intention that the Gaeltacht Bill, which will give effect to the Government's policy decisions on the 20-Year Strategy, will be published as soon as possible, depending on the Government's legislative schedule.

Questions Nos. 127 and 128 answered with Question No. 125.