Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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764. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit facilitate persons wishing to engage with their services through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21904/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science currently provides a range of services through Irish. Some of these services, including phone calls received in Irish, are currently managed under a shared services arrangement with the Department of Education. All communications received in Irish are responded to in Irish, and any person can expect to be able to correspond with the Department through the official language of their choice.

The agencies under the aegis of the Department meet their official obligations under the Official Languages Act 2003.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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765. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if all forms issued by his Department and agencies under his remit are available in both the Irish and English languages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21922/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides all forms through Irish where requested, with one exception where, in the context of its Innovation, Research and Development Policy responsibilities, the Department accredits research organisations that want to access the fast track work permit scheme for researchers from outside the European Economic Area.  As these would not normally be expected to be in a position to communicate through Irish, in this one case, the form is only available in English.

Where forms directed at the general public are provided by agencies under the aegis of the Department required to comply with the Official Languages Act 2003, all forms are available in Irish.