Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount allocated to the language planning fund on a national and per county basis in each year since funding commenced; the 2018 allocation; and the amount of expenditure expended in tabular form. [23030/18]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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In order to further assist the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, of which the language planning process is an integral part, a specific fund was established in 2014. This fund has been used since 2014 for the implementation of the language planning process, which began to operate in that year, as well to finance a range of specific projects, measures and initiatives as additional support for both the implementation of the Strategy and the language planning process, accordingly.

As the language planning process is a key part of the implementation of the Strategy, it has been necessary, in the context of the remits assigned to them under the process, to allocate sufficient funding to both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, as appropriate, to enable them to support the preparation and implementation of language plans for Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks.

The following table outlines the amount allocated specifically for the language planning process in each county for the years 2014 to 2017 by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge. It is worth noting that further costs were incurred in administering the process such as training, publicity, workshops, material etc. which does not relate to one specific county.

It is also worth noting that, as of 2018, an allocation worth €2.65m has been made available for the Language Planning Process. As the process is moving forward this year from the preparation of plans to their implementation, the whole fund has been directed towards the process as well as to a number of specific new measures that will be funded centrally as additional support for the language planning process.

The language planning process is now underway in all 26 Gaeltacht areas and the first six language plans have been approved. Five further plans are currently being assessed by the Department with the expectation of approving them in the near future. An allocation of up to €100,000 will be provided over a 12 month period in respect of each area in order to begin implementing the plans. An additional €50,000 will be allocated in respect of 5 specific language planning areas due to particular challenges associated with these areas.

The preparation of plans is in hand in relation to the Gaeltacht Service Towns of Letterkenny, Daingean Uí Chúis, and the cities of Galway and Cork, while it is anticipated that work will begin this year to prepare plans in respect of Dungarvan, Tralee, An Clochán Liath and Castlebar.

Preparation of plans continues in relation to the Irish Language Networks of Ennis, Loughrea and Clondalkin, with plans expected to be submitted for approval by end of year.