Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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624. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26582/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department's Corporate Services are largely shared with the Department of Education and our Irish language policy currently operates under the Department of Education and Skills Language Scheme 2020 - 2023, made under Section 15 of the Official Languages Act 2003. This document sets out what Irish language services should be based on. That is  i) the underlying level of demand for specific services in the Irish language ii) the importance of a proactive approach to the provision of such services as required, and  iii) the resources, including human and financial resources, and the capacity of the Department to develop or access the necessary language capability.

It is a requirement of the Official Languages Act that documents setting out public policy proposals, annual reports, statements of strategy, and matters considered to be of major public importance, are communicated by Government Departments in both Irish and English and this is current practice. 

My Department has not, to date, posted any social media content in Irish.

In accordance with regulations made pursuant to the provisions of section 9(1) of the Official Languages Act 2003, the Department will continue to comply with its statutory obligations.