Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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623. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the preparation of language plans in respect of all towns identified as possible Gaeltacht service towns following the consultation process in 2014, including a breakdown of the language plans completed to date, the language plans approved to date, the towns in respect of which language plans are currently in preparation, and the towns in respect of which the preparation for language plans is yet to begin; the timeline for the completion of all language plans in respect of Gaeltacht service towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27107/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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On foot of the consultation process conducted in 2014, 16 towns were identified as possible Gaeltacht Service Towns contingent on language plans being agreed with the local communities in accordance with the prescribed language planning criteria under Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.

The towns in question as well as the current status of their respective language plans are laid out in the table below:

It is anticipated that the language plan for An Clochán will be received by my Department by the end of the year and that for Baile an Róba in 2024. Work has also commenced in relation to the plan for Cathair Chorcaí.

Following appointment, each lead organisation is given a two year period in which to prepare a plan for submission to the Minister for approval.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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624. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the Irish-language networks approved and recognised to date, following the announcement in 2018; the timeline for the approval and recognition of the remaining identified areas as Irish-language networks; the status of the development of language plans in the remaining identified areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27108/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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All 3 of the Irish Language Networks designated under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 in Loughrea, Clondalkin and Ennis had their language plans approved in January of 2020 and are currently implementing same. Annual funding of up to €80,000 over a 7 year period is being made available to each of those Irish Language Networks to implement their plans.

My Department has recently had discussions with Foras na Gaeilge about the feasibility of designating additional Irish Language Networks in a small number of areas. Work in this regard will be progressed by Foras na Gaeilge over the coming months.

The Deputy should be aware that, in tandem with the statutory language planning process administered by my Department in the south, Foras na Gaeilge administers a similar non-statutory process in Northern Ireland. To date, two networks have been approved under this initiative, in West Belfast and Carn Tóchair.