Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department will sanction a new language planning co-ordinator to support the efforts of An Clár as Gaeilge in terms of developing a Líonra Gaeilge in Ennis, County Clare. [10177/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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A language plan in respect of the Irish Language Network of Ennis, Co. Clare was approved by my Department in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 in January 2020.

Foras na Gaeilge, as the body responsible for the co-ordination of the language planning process outside Gaeltacht regions, was informed in writing of this in January 2020 and the conditions of approval were set out in writing at that time. These conditions encompassed details of the financial allocation being provided by my Department (i.e. €80,000 annually over the seven-year life-cycle of the plan), in addition to conditions in respect of the salary scale to be applied in relation to the appointment of Language Planning Officers both in the case of Ennis and the other two Irish Language Networks of Clondalkin and Loughrea. It should be noted that this same salary also applies in the case of Language Planning Officers in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns.

In accordance with the existing arrangements which govern the ongoing implementation of the process, it is the responsibility of Foras na Gaeilge in this instance to advance the commencement of the plan's implementation in accordance with the conditions set out in the aforementioned letter of sanction and in line with its overall responsibilities in this regard, as defined under the Act.

I hope that this serves to clarify matters and that Foras na Gaeilge can expedite matters in partnership with An Clár as Gaeilge, in the overall interests of the Irish language in the area.