Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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62. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of staff in his Department capable of dealing with the public in the Irish language; if there are training programmes in place for staff to improve their level of working Irish; the provision there is for other minority languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38629/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that 0.8% of staff in my Department have volunteered to deal with members of the public through Irish.  While the percentage may appear low, the Deputy will be aware that my Department, given the nature of its functions and work does not have a high level of direct contact with individual members of the general public.

Gaelchultúr Teoranta is the service provider for Irish language training programmes in the Civil Service. My Department's training programmes, including language training, are aligned with the business needs of the Department and are provided for accordingly.