Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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68. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of new Gaeltachts since 2000; and the location of same. [3614/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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No new areas have been assigned Gaeltacht status since the most recent amendment made to the official Gaeltacht boundaries in 1982.

Having said that, the Deputy may be aware that the language planning process as set out under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 provides for the the formal recognition of Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks as identified under the Act.

Gaeltacht Service Towns are towns in, or adjacent to, Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas which play a significant role in the delivery of public services and leisure, social and commercial amenities to the community of those areas. Under the Act, a town must have a population of at least 1,000, according to the most recent census, to be included as a Gaeltacht Service Town. Recognition under the Act will be given to Gaeltacht Service towns providing that language plans have been agreed with the communities of the various towns in accordance with prescribed language planning criteria.

Depending on whether the town is situated within a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area or outside of it, either Údarás na Gaeltachta or Foras na Gaeilge will be responsible under the Act for supporting organisations in the preparation and implementation of language plans in the Gaeltacht Service Towns.

On foot of a consultation process conducted in 2014, the following towns have been selected as potential Gaeltacht Service Towns:

To date, language plans have been approved and are being implemented in respect of the towns of Leitir Ceanainn, Daingean Uí Chúis, Cathair na Gaillimhe, An Clochán Liath, Trá Lí, Dún Garbhán and Caisleán an Bharraigh.

Preparatory work is underway in respect of Cathair Saidbhín, Cathair Chorcaí, Baile an Róba and An Clochán, while the case in respect of the remaining towns will be advanced by Foras na Gaeilge under the stewardship of the Department over the next 12 months.

Irish-Language Networks are areas which have achieved a basic critical mass of community and State support for the Irish language. Recognition under the Act will be given to Irish Language Networks providing that language plans have been agreed with the communities of the various networks in accordance with prescribed language planning criteria. Foras na Gaeilge is responsible under the Act for supporting organisations with regard to the preparation and implementation of the language plans in the Irish Language Networks.

Three Irish Language Networks have been approved under the process to date - Ennis, Loughrea and Clondalkin.

Further information regarding the language planning process is available on my Department's website.