Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the action being taken to support young people who want to pursue a career in the EU institutions in an Irish language role. [38076/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has instituted a suite of supports for people who wish to pursue a career in the EU institutions in an Irish language role.

Firstly, the ‘Aistritheoirí Óga' (Young Translators) translation competition is organised jointly by the Department and the European Commission each year. It is open to students across the island of Ireland who were at least 15 years of age on the 1st September (of the current school year) and who have the ability to translate from English into Irish, or from a choice of five other European languages into Irish. The competition has three goals: to promote a high standard of Irish, to encourage multilingualism among secondary school students and to encourage their interest in careers with Irish.

Secondly, the Department established the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative in 2006. This initiative was put in place in order to increase the number of qualified persons with Irish language skills in the context of the requirements arising from the status of Irish as an official and working language of the EU and also from the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003. The fund provides for a range of specialised third-level Irish language courses in areas such as translation, interpretation, IT and law – these courses include the MA in Conference Interpreting in the University of Galway, the BCL in UCC and a number of courses in King’s Inns.

Thirdly, to support graduates, my Department has developed an internship scheme along with colleagues within the European Institutions. The Internship Scheme in European Union Institutions is administered by the Centre of Excellence for Irish Language EU Careers in the University of Galway on behalf of the Department in co-operation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, the Committee of the Regions and the Publications Office. The scheme is focused on the provision of opportunities for graduates to acquire work placements in the field of translation and proof-reading. The scheme contributes to the Government’s objective to provide every assistance and support to the European Union in implementing the decision to make Irish a working and official language in the EU, as set out in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. Under the scheme, up to twelve internships annually are funded by the Department and each work placement lasts for a period of nine months. The scheme is currently closed for the 2025 intake but will open again in 2026.

The Department works in collaboration with colleagues in other Government Departments and organisations to promote the opportunities for Irish speakers in the EU. For example, we have supported the work of the EU Jobs Team in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Lastly, the Department also provides an outreach programme called Gluaiseacht aimed at promoting careers with Irish, both at home and abroad. This programme, aimed at second and third-level students, is managed on behalf of the Department by Conradh na Gaeilge.