Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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651. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the consultations her Department has had with the Department of Education and Skills relating to the 20-year strategy for the Irish l anguage 2010 - 2030, specifically with regard to the State’s support for gaelscoileanna and gaelcholáisí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5678/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has the overarching responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 in cooperation with a wide range of key stakeholders, including the Department of Education and Skills. In that context, my Department is in regular contact with these stakeholders with regard to progressing the implementation of a wide range of measures, including educational measures, under the Strategy.

I should also say that a number of structures have been established to progress the implementation of the Strategy and monitor progress in this regard. These structures include the Cabinet Committee on the Irish Language and the Gaeltacht, chaired by An Taoiseach, the Inter-Departmental Group, chaired by me as Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, and various groups of officials dealing with different sectors, including education.

The Deputy may wish to note that I have been engaging on a bilateral basis with Ministerial colleagues with regard to the implementation of the Strategy. As part of this engagement process, I intend to discuss the support available for gaelscoileanna and gaelcholáistí at my meeting this week with the Minister for Education and Skills.