Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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487. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action his Department is taking to promote the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26881/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 consists of a comprehensive strategy for the preservation and promotion of the Irish language. The Strategy promotes a holistic, integrated approach to the Irish language which is consistent with international best practice. The Strategy sets out nine areas for action, including education, the Gaeltacht, the family, public services, the media, the economy, legislation and various cross-cutting initiatives. The Strategy recognises that the implementation of the various measures contained therein requires a phased approach. While my Department has the overarching responsibility for the Strategy, it is working in co-operation with other key stakeholders to implement the Strategy on an incremental basis within available resources.

Since the Strategy was published in December 2010, priority was given during 2011 to implementing the Strategy's establishment phase. This involved providing information about the Strategy and establishing the structures required for its implementation. Priority was given during 2012 to legislative matters. The enactment of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 was a significant achievement as it provides for a statutory language planning process, both within and outside the existing Gaeltacht, and for a statutory role in this regard for Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, as appropriate. It is intended to publish a progress report shortly on the implementation of the Strategy to date, in addition to implementation plans by the key stakeholders.

Under the Revised Estimates for 2013, my Department has been allocated almost €57m for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the islands. This includes funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta, the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga and the North South Language Body. The Language Body consists of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency and its budget is subject to the approval of the North South Ministerial Council.

Further information with regard to the promotion of the Irish language is available on the following websites: , , and .