Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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82. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made on implementing all aspects of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030 that are relevant to his Department and bodies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8617/19]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the Defence Forces are committed to the relevant undertakings of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030. On foot of this strategy, my Department and the Defence Forces, identified certain objectives as being relevant to the Defence Organisation, in particular, objectives 2 and 12.

Objective 2 of the Strategy is that the Official Languages Act will be fully implemented and that the right of the public to use Irish in dealings with the State and with other bodies will be developed and the appropriate arrangements to deliver this will be put in place.

Objective 12 of the Strategy is that the use of the Irish language by An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces will be continued and developed.

In relation to Objective 2, my Department has fulfilled its commitments in relation to the provision of services in Irish under the Official Languages Act 2003. The Department’s fourth Irish language Scheme 2017 - 2020, is in place since September 2017.

Commitments under the scheme continue to be delivered and include the following:

- The static content on my Department’s new website is bilingual and there is an option for users to access the site in Irish or English, as is the case with the Defence Forces’ website.

- My Department has a pool of Irish speakers to allow customers to conduct their business through the medium of Irish, should they so wish.

- When my Department issues new press releases, it has procedures in place to ensure that it complies with the requirement that a minimum of 20% be available through Irish.

- Irish Language awareness is part of the induction process for new staff in my Department.

My Department also has a Líonra na Gaeilge Committee which holds meetings throughout the year.

Signage at my Department buildings is bilingual and telephone calls to the Department are answered in Irish. Correspondence received in Irish is answered in Irish. This approach is replicated by the Defence Forces.

Additionally, the Learning and Development section promotes Irish internally through accommodating requests for Irish language courses and by running various events such as quizzes, bingo and coffee mornings through Irish.

In relation to Objective 12, the Defence Forces continue to promote the Government policy of bilingualism and to ensure that the Defence Forces provide a quality service through the Irish language. At present, this policy is implemented under the Defence Forces’ Scheme 2014-17 under section 15 of the Official Languages Act 2003 (Scéim Óglaigh na hÉireann 2014-17). The Defence Forces will continue to prioritise implementation of the joint Implementation Plan for the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 through the Defence Forces Language Council (An Chomhairle Gaeilge, Óglaigh na hÉireann). An Chomhairle Gaeilge, actively uses the 20 Year Strategy as a guide to progress and benchmark Irish within the Defence Forces at its meetings, which normally occur monthly.

As well as complying with the Official Languages Act 2003 by publishing Irish Languages Schemes, the Defence Forces have put in place a policy in order to achieve objective 12 (Administrative Instruction A8 para 5). Under this policy, a Senior Irish Language Officer, An t-Oifigeach Gaeilge Sinsearach, of Colonel rank who reports directly to and advises The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has been appointed. This officer briefs the General Staff and Formation Commanders on a bi-monthly basis on Irish language matters.

The officer also chairs the Defence Forces Irish Language Council, An Chomhairle Gaeilge, whose membership includes representatives from all Defence Forces formations, as well as a representative from An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe, the designated Irish speaking unit, based in Galway. This Council drafts and presents an Annual Plan for the Irish Language for the approval of the Chief of Staff. It convenes on a monthly basis throughout the year to monitor and progress the implementation of the Plan and to coordinate all Irish language activities within the Defence Forces.

The Director of Defence Forces Training makes funding available for personnel to undergo Irish Language Courses, and to attend An Campa Gaeilge, an annual Irish Language training camp, conducted in An Chéad Chathlán Coisithe, Renmore, Galway, and at a location in the Gaeltacht. This course has achieved maximum capacity of 60 personnel in 2018 and is likely to be over-subscribed again in 2019. A training syllabus for a one-week Irish language course is promulgated in the Defence Forces’ Annual Training and Education Directive. In 2018, courses were conducted in Renmore Barracks, Galway and Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick. The Defence Forces (DF) provide funding for members, on the recommendation of An Chomhairle Gaeilge, to complete Irish language Diploma level courses. In 2018, two DF students commenced Diploma level courses at UL and NUIG.

Since 2016 an annual Irish Language Seminar, has been organised and run by An Chomhairle Gaeilge, for Irish-speaking personnel and guest speakers are invited to discuss the latest developments and opportunities in the Irish Language Community. The DF conduct induction and promotion interviews whenever requested as Gaeilge and An Chomhairle Gaeilge maintain a panel of appropriately ranked Irish speakers to staff the interview boards where required.

Candidates for induction and promotion may avail of the opportunity to undergo interview in the Irish Language. A lapel pin can be worn on the uniform of serving personnel that signifies that the wearer is empathetic to the language and is willing to converse in the language regardless of ability/fluency. In 2019, a badge will be issued to those personnel to be worn on the day to day working dress.