Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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424. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to promote the use of Irish in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently has five members of staff who are proficient in the Irish Language and are available to assist staff dealing with clients who wish to conduct their business through Irish. The Department's receptionists/switchboard operators are all proficient in the use of Irish. Information in relation to online Irish translation and spellcheckers has been circulated to all staff. Signage in my Department’s offices is bilingual, in Irish and English. The Department’s Scheme (2013 - 2016) under the Official Languages Act was published in October 2013 and circulated to all staff in my Department.

In 2015, for staff who wished to take part, my Department organised individual Irish language proficiency assessments which were carried out by Gaelchultúr. Thirteen staff members undertook the proficiency assessment. Five staff who identified an interest in developing their Irish language skills have been offered professional Irish language training at FETAC Levels 3, 4 and 5. The total cost of this training is being paid by my Department.