Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

301. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of investment in the Irish language and the islands both within and outside Gaeltacht areas under the National Development Plan 2018-2027; and if such funding will be inclusive or separate to funding committed under the rural regeneration and development fund in the plan. [13345/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that as part of National Development Plan 2018-2027 total funding of €178 million is earmarked for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the islands over the life of the plan.

This figure represents an increase of €78m over the lifetime of the plan on the baseline annual expenditure of approximately €10m currently being provided for this budget line and is separate from the funding commitment contained in the plan in relation to rural regeneration.

The NDP includes a commitment to increase, on an incremental basis, the capital allocation to Údarás na Gaeltachta from the 2018 base level of €7m to €12m annually.

A decision on the timeframe for implementation of this increase will be made in the context of the normal annual estimates process. All expenditure proposals under the NDP are also subject to evaluation in line with the Public Spending Code.