Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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656. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his views on the adequacy of the existing budget to support the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities; if an increase in this budget can be considered in the context of forthcoming Budget negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39384/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to the provision of services in Irish, in accordance with the Official Languages Acts, and through our Irish Language Scheme and our Customer Charter and Action Plan 2023-2026.

As of 10th July 2025 we have just under 300 staff from a range of business areas who are willing to provide a service through Irish to our customers.

My Department is committed to the continued development and training of staff to facilitate the provision of services through Irish and encourages staff to avail of the range of training supports to enhance fluency in the Irish language.

We have increased our refund-of-fees scheme from 80% to 100% to cover Irish language courses. In 2024, 170 members of our staff across the Department participated in online Irish Language training with GaelChultúr.

My Department's Corporate Planning Unit has responsibility for the co-ordination, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Department's obligations under the Official Languages Acts.

A number of positive actions undertaken to promote Irish within the department include:

• We foster the community of Irish Speakers within the Department. The Department hosted Oireachtas na Roinne in October 2024. Oireachtas na Roinne, delivered fully through Irish, brought many of the Irish speaking staff together to thank them for their willingness to conduct business through Irish.
• As part of the induction programme to all new staff, information on courses and events for Irish speakers/learners is provided.
• An online Ciorcal Comhrá is active each week.
• To mark Seachtain na Gaelige events are organised.
• Irish articles published in our internal staff magazine.