Written answers
Thursday, 18 May 2023
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Irish Language
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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45. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she or her Department have tried to quantify the number of Irish speakers in the State; if she has identified any increase or decrease in the figures since she took office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22659/23]
Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Central Statistics Office (CSO) is Ireland's national statistical office whose purpose is to impartially collect, analyse and make available statistics about Ireland’s people, society and economy, including the collation of statistics in relation to Irish Speakers.
The most up to date published census data in regard to the Irish Language was compiled as part of the 2016 Census. Data collected during Census 2022 is scheduled for release later this year.
Census 2016 data for Irish speakers is available on the CSO website at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/ilg/ . Tables from the CSO website have been reproduced below for the Deputy's convenience.
Table EA039 Percentage of Irish Speakers and Non-Irish Speakers Aged 3 Years and Over, 2011 - 2016
| Census Year | Irish Speakers (Number) | Non-Irish Speakers (Number) | Irish speakers as a percentage of total (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1774437 | 2596194 | 40.6 |
| 2016 | 1761420 | 2807841 | 38.5 |
Further detail available on this table at the following link:
Table EA055 Irish Speakers Aged 3 Years and Over 2011 to 2016
| Frequency of Speaking Irish | 2011 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| All Irish speakers | 1774437 | 1761420 |
| Speaks Irish daily within the education system only | 519181 | 555754 |
| Speaks Irish daily within and daily outside the education system | 21631 | 20641 |
| Speaks Irish daily within and weekly outside the education system | 7510 | 6665 |
| Speaks Irish daily within and less often outside the education system | 5776 | 4626 |
| Speaks Irish daily within and never outside the education system | 3563 | 2854 |
| Speaks Irish daily (outside education system only) | 55554 | 53162 |
| Speaks Irish weekly (outside education system only) | 103132 | 104808 |
| Speaks Irish less often (outside education system only) | 607460 | 581909 |
| Never speaks Irish outside the education system only | 435219 | 418420 |
| Not stated | 15411 | 12581 |
Further detail available on this table at the following link:
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