Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together.

An Interdepartmental Group (comprising officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; and Údarás na Gaeltachta) is in place to support and accelerate the ongoing work in relation to planning in Gaeltacht areas. One of the key aims of this group is to ensure that procedures and systems will be tailored as appropriate to facilitate an effective and consistent approach in managing planning related issues in Gaeltacht areas.

The Interdepartmental Group met on 15 December 2022 where it was agreed to commence, under the direction of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media DTCAGSM) , a study in 2023 on the methodology and format for Linguistic Impact Statements as a key elements of future planning guidelines. This study was subsequently commissioned and commenced in February this year. The consultant’s work is nearing completion and will inform draft guidelines for Gaeltacht areas.

Draft planning guidelines for Gaeltacht Areas are currently being finalised for my review and then subsequent mandatory screening under EU law for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), as well as for the purposes of Appropriate Assessment (AA). It is intended that, subject to the outcome of the screening exercises, that draft guidelines will then be published for public consultation in Q4, 2023. All local organisations in Gaeltacht areas and members of the public can submit their views on the draft guidelines during this consultation phase for consideration, before the guidelines are then finalised.

Separately, a Working Group was established in 2021 to examine various aspects of the planning process in all Gaeltacht Areas. Membership of this group is made up of representatives from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the relevant local authorities with Gaeltacht areas. The Working Group is therefore comprised of the relevant statutory bodies/agencies involved in the planning of Gaeltacht Areas . The Working Group also actively engages with language groups including inviting them to attend meetings of the Working Group and make presentations on their proposals and approach to the development of Gaeltacht areas.