Written answers

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Irish Language

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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661. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21910/21]

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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662. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if all forms issued by her Department and agencies under her remit are available in both the Irish and English languages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21928/21]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 662 together.

My Department and bodies under its aegis are  committed to providing a high standard of service in either Irish or English to its customers.  The Department is aware of its obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003 and our commitments as set out in our Irish Language Scheme 2019-2022.

Currently, the Department has 200 staff in our various Departmental offices across the country that are available to provide services through Irish.In situations where staff are unable to deal with a person through Irish, an interpretive service is offered to the customer.  This service, which can be arranged at very short notice, can be provided either by 3-way phone call, or in-person where required.  My Department also avails of a written translation service whereby documentation can be translated into Irish on request. All digital platform services and information within www.MyGovid.iewww.MyWelfare.ie  and www.WelfarePartners.ie are available to our customers in both Irish and English.  No digital service can go live without both languages being fully available and functional. All relevant corporate documents like the Department's Statement of Strategy and the Annual Report are published on gov.ie simultaneously in both languages. 

In addition, my Department is committed to the continued development and training of staff to facilitate the provision of services through Irish and continues to encourage staff to avail of the range of training supports to enhance fluency in the Irish language. 

Agencies under my Department's remit are also fully aware of their responsibilities under the Official Languages Act 2003.  Where a service through Irish is required by a customer, this is provided either directly by staff, or through the use of my Department's Translations and Interpretive Services.  Similarly, all relevant information, leaflets and forms are available in Irish on the relevant websites of the bodies, or on request.  

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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