Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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514. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies which exist within her Department for candidates who must display competence in the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5432/16]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The main grades at the Department concerned with the delivery of services to the Irish speaking community are in the areas of school inspections and the provision of educational psychological services by the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to schools in Gaeltacht areas and the Gaelscoileanna. Currently there are staff at the grades of school inspector and educational psychologist that can provide their services through the Irish language and as such the matter of vacancies as mentioned in the Deputy's question does not arise.

In the event in the future it transpires that there are insufficient professional staff to deliver services to schools in Gaeltacht areas or Gaelscoileanna, a recruitment campaign to engage professionals that are proficient in the Irish language will be undertaken through the Public Appointments Service (PAS).