Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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2760. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the next Séala Creidiúnaithe d'Aistritheoirí exam will be; if he plans to increase the frequency of these exams, perhaps to two exams each year given the scarcity of translators and the volume of work available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46224/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Foras na Gaeilge oversees the Seal of Accreditation for Translators and Editors. The frequency of exams is an operational matter for Foras na Gaeilge, in which neither my Department nor I have a role. I am aware that Foras na Gaeilge does not currently have any plans to increase the frequency of these exams.

Separately, my Department is continuously working to ensure there are sufficient numbers of qualified graduates to meet the recruitment needs of the institutions of the European Union, as outlined in the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish language.

My Department provides funding via the Advanced Irish Skills Initiative for relevant third-level courses, in order to improve the success rate in European Union recruitment competitions and to supply capable graduates for employment in European institutions.

In addition, the Department established and funds the Centre of Excellence for Careers in the European Union, which has representatives of each of the third level institutions which are funded under the Advanced Irish Languages Skills Initiative. The Centre is a key link between the universities and the institutions of the European Union. The Centre administers the internship scheme in the institutions of the European Union, which is funded by my Department and is managed by the Department in cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, the Committee of the Regions, the Court of Auditors, and the Publications Office.