Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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192. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will review the policy of including Irish language translation as part of awarding overall translation contracts of minority language translation here as with this practice the Irish language becomes a mere addendum and afterthought to contracts providing for the behemoth languages in the EU and an insignificant designation among a long list of other languages which command bigger populations and therefore greater attention as it will be disastrous for the future of Irish language translation and also result in substantial job losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49587/14]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has responsibility for procurement of all language translation services required by public sector bodies within its remit, including Irish language services. As part of its preparations for the re-tendering of the current expiring whole-of-Government Framework Agreements for interpretation and translation services (which included Irish Language services along with other languages), the OGP published a "Request for Information" on on 28 November 2014 in which, among other things, invited views with regard to how it should tender for these services in future, and  in particular whether there should be a separate tender process for Irish language services.  It also sought views as to how it might make the tender process conducive to Small and Medium Enterprises. 

The Office of Government Procurement will consider all responses received to this Request for Information which will inform the development of its procurement strategy for these services.  However, I am pleased to confirm at this point that, having regard to views received on the procurement of Irish language services, the Office of Government has decided not to include Irish in the list of languages covered in the upcoming procurement of language services.  Furthermore, a decision on the optimal way of procuring Irish language translation services will be made following consultation with the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.