Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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93. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [38617/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of December 2014 there are 74 staff members within my Department proficient in the Irish language, with a further 265 having availed of Irish language training. This equates to 2.45% and 8.75% of the total staff respectively. Staff members can apply for Irish language training through the Learning & Development Unit, and each application is assessed on its own merit. Additionally, Staff members can also avail of the Refund of Fees programme to undertake Irish Language Diplomas through various Universities in Ireland.

Training in respect of other minority languages is similarly assessed on a case by case basis by the Learning & Development Unit. Requests for training are made primarily from staff members travelling abroad on official business for whom the knowledge of another language is a necessary element in undertaking their role.