Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
267. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the annual expenditure on courses for employees of public bodies to learn Irish, from an organisation (details supplied) or any other provider, in each of the past ten years; and the analysis that has been conducted by his Department on ways to increase the provision of such courses across the public sector. [46828/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have data on annual expenditure on courses for employees of all public bodies to learn Irish, so this answer relates to my Department only. The Deputy may wish to submit separate Questions to other Ministers in respect of their Departments.
My Department promotes the Irish language among its staff through ongoing internal communications highlighting Irish language training opportunities provided via the IPA's OneLearning Programme, including the circulation of course details and associated webinars for each course iteration. The OneLearning course offers a Certificate in Professional Irish and is delivered by Gaelchultúr with TEG examination and accreditation. The Department has also supported the development and promotion of a suite of micro-credentials, including Irish language programmes delivered by the University of Galway.
A breakdown of the Department's expenditure in each of the past 10 years on Gaelchultúr services is provided below:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2026 (to-date) |
€24,870 |
|
2025 |
€20,860 |
|
2024 |
€11,630 |
|
2023 |
€14,155 |
|
2022 |
€11,175 |
|
2021 |
€8,121 |
|
2020 |
€4,670 |
|
2019 |
€4,670 |
|
2018 |
€4,105 |
|
2017 |
€4,123 |
|
2016 |
€745 |
