Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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4244. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the work currently being undertaken by the Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge; to provide details of its membership, including the chairperson; to indicate how frequently the committee meets; to set out the resources allocated to support its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55520/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Language Services Advisory Committee was established under Section 18A of the Official Languages Act, as amended, on 20 June 2022, with its work to date primarily focusing on the preparation of the first ever National Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2024-2030 and subsequent Action Plan, covering the period 2026-2028, which were published in October 2024 and January 2026 respectively.

Significant research was undertaken in respect of the National Plan, which was then built on in the Action Plan. This research demonstrated a clear interest in increasing Irish language competence among public sector staff and positivity towards the language in general. The Action Plan sets out the specific actions to be taken between 2026 and 2028 and looks to adopt a holistic, measurable and practical approach to the implementation of the National Plan under its five strategic themes. Preparation of both plans involved extensive consultation and engagement across Government and beyond – particularly as it relates to core public services and Gaeltacht areas.

Cross-cutting initiatives contained in the Action Plan look to enhance the provision of bilingual public services across the country – particularly in Gaeltacht areas, through a range of diverse measures. It focuses on developing supportive structures and includes measures focused on capacity and awareness building, skills development and technology. The plan also places a particular emphasis on measures to be undertaken to achieve the Act’s overarching target that at least 20% of those appointed in public bodies, either by way of recruitment or promotion, are competent in Irish by the end of 2030. Working towards this target will be a key enabler for public bodies to increase their provision of Irish medium public services.

In accordance with Section 18F of the Act, the Advisory Committee provides an annual progress report to the Minister and An Coimisinéir Teanga regarding its work in the previous year. An Coimisinéir Teanga then prepares a commentary on same. These are noted by Government before being laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and are available to view on the Department’s website.

Outside of preparing and implementing the Plans, the Advisory Committee has an ongoing and responsive role, particularly in relation to providing advice to public bodies. In this context, work is currently underway on the drafting of a recruitment best practice paper along with a guidance note on reporting requirements to support public bodies in this regard, in accordance with Actions 4.5.1 and 5.1.1 of the Action Plan.

The Advisory Committee is also to have a significant role in the consultations on the draft-language standards, which I have detailed in my answer to the Deputy’s other parliamentary question on same. My response to that parliamentary question (Department PQ Ref. 55521/26) also sets out the substantial work undertaken under the stewardship of the Advisory Committee and by my Department to date as we reach the midway point of this 9-year project.

The Committee is chaired at Assistant Secretary officer level by my own Department and includes membership at a senior level (AP grade equivalent or higher) from a wide range of organisations from across the public service, including the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation; the Department of Social Protection; the Department of Education and Youth; the HSE; the Local Government Management Agency; An Garda Síochána; and publicjobs. The Irish language speaking community, both inside and outside the Gaeltacht, are also represented on the Advisory Committee along with Foras na Gaeilge.

It is worth noting that recent amendments made to the Official Languages Act 2003 (through the recently enactment of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Act) now allow for the expansion of this membership to include other key players where needed.

The Committee meets on a regular basis, with 26 meetings held since its establishment. My Department is responsible for providing the secretariat to the Committee and determines its procedures. The Terms of Reference and minutes of Advisory Committee meetings are available on my Department’s website.

In terms of resources allocated to support its work, since the enactment of the amendment Act in 2021, there has been unprecedented investment and focus by Government on this matter with two new business units established in my Department , under 2 Principal Officers, as well the establishment of a new budget line which has doubled from €1 million in 2023 to €2 million in this year’s allocation. The budget and staffing allocation of An Coimisinéir Teanga has also been more than doubled since 2021 with the budget growing from €887,000 in 2021 to €2 million in 2026. Staff numbers have also grown from 9 in 2021 to 19 in 2026.