Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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In the context of my Department’s role in coordinating the implementation of the Government’s Action Plan for the Irish Language (Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022), the third annual progress report on its ongoing implementation on behalf of Government was published in November 2022.

The plan itself was first published in 2018 in order to accelerate and better co-ordinate implementation of the Government’s overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 which represents Government policy in relation the Irish Language and Gaeltacht regions.

This third report provides an overview of the progress made in 2021 on the implementation of the 180 or so actions contained in the plan itself and its publication is in line with the commitment made to publish such reports on an annual basis in the interests of accountability and transparency.

Key achievements in 2021 include:

- the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law on 22 December 2021.

- by the end of 2021 a total of 32 language plans were approved for 25 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, 4 Gaeltacht Service Towns and 3 Irish Language Networks (7 of which were approved in 2021).

- 19 Language Planning Officers and 4 Assistant Language Planning Officers were employed under the process by the end of December 2021.

- in 2021, 2,323 Gaeltacht children benefited from events organised by Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta with the support of my department.

- there were 55 active groups within Glór na nGael's Teanga Tí Scheme during 2021.

- capital funding at a rate of 95% was provided for 6 early-years services in the Gaeltacht under the Department's Clár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga.

- the derogation of the use of Irish in the EU ended on 31 December 2021. Around 200 people are now employed in high-quality jobs in Irish language units in EU institutions as a result.

- 825 new full-time jobs were created in Údarás na Gaeltachta client-companies in 2021.

- there were 7,809 full-time jobs and 485 part-time jobs in companies that receive support from Údarás at the end of 2021.

- the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta approved State investment of €8.07 million in employment, plant, training and education grants during 2021.

- up to €13.75 million in capital provision was approved during 2021 to restore and develop the business infrastructure of the Gaeltacht to help develop employment and new initiatives. A full overview of progress made and in hand is set out in the report itself which can be found on my Department's website.

I am confident that the additional financial allocation for the Irish language announced in Budget 2023, will enable my Department and relevant stakeholders to take further significant strides in advancing implementation of the plan and continue to support and develop greater use of the Irish language both within Gaeltacht regions and nationally.