Scheme 2005-2008 under the Official Languages Act 2003

Scéim 2005-2008 faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

An Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta

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Contents

Chapter 1 – Introduction and Background 2

1.1 Guidelines/Preparation of the scheme 2

1.2 Decentralisation 2

1.3 Commencement date of scheme 4

1.4 Overview of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism 4

1.4.1 Mandate 4

1.4.2 Mission and Goals 6

1.4.3 Customers and Clients 8

1.4.4 Functional Areas of the Department 8

1.4.5 Extent to which services are already available through Irish 10

Chapter 2 – Means of Communication with the Public 12

2.1 Written means of communication, including electronic communication 12

2.2 Interpersonal means of communication 16

Chapter 3 – Enhancement of services to be provided bilingually 20

3.1 Services not available in Irish 20

3.2 General commitment to Irish language service development 20

3.3 Training and Development 22

Chapter 4 – Monitoring and Revision 24

Chapter 5 – Publicising of Agreed Scheme 26

Chapter 1

Introduction and Background

This scheme was prepared in accordance with Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003 (“the Act”) by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Section 11 provides for the preparation by public bodies of a statutory scheme detailing the services they will provide

and the measures to be adopted to ensure that any service not provided by the body through the medium of the Irish language will be so provided within an agreed timeframe.

1.1 Guidelines/Preparation of the scheme

Section 12 of the Act provides for the preparation of guidelines by the Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and their issue to public bodies to assist in the preparation of draft schemes. This scheme has been drawn up with due regard to those guidelines.

This Department published a notice under Section 13 of the Act on 15 December 2004, inviting submissions in relation to the preparation of the draft scheme under Section 11 from any interested parties. All submissions received electronically and a summary of those received in hard copy are now available on the Department’s website www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie. The Department appreciates the time and effort put in by all concerned in this process.

The scheme has been developed taking account of the submissions received through the public consultation process, the views and suggestions of staff across the Department and the current situation in the Department with regard to Irish language service availability and capability. A Departmental Working Group, comprising representatives from a range of functional areas of the Department, assisted in drafting the scheme. Historical demand for services through Irish was also assessed by the Working Group.

1.2 Decentralisation

The Department is fully committed to meeting the commitments contained in its scheme. However, the Department has been included in the first phase of the Government’s decentralisation programme and is currently planning its move to Killarney. Based on expressions of interest under the Central Applications Facility, there will be a very significant turnover in Departmental staff arising from decentralisation. The Department will not be in a position to control the recruitment of staff for decentralisation in terms of Irish language proficiency.

Should circumstances change materially in the Department in regard to the availability of staff with Irish language proficiency arising from Decentralisation, it may be necessary to ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to use his powers under Section 16 of the Act to make amendments to the scheme.

The Department will endeavour to develop Irish language skills in all areas of the Department on an ongoing basis, including during and post-decentralisation, as part of its training programme and enhancement of service delivery commitments contained in the scheme.

1.3 Commencement date of scheme

This scheme has been confirmed by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The scheme commenced with effect from 1 July 2005 and shall remain in force for a period of three years from this date or until a new scheme has been confirmed by the Minister pursuant to Section 15 of the Act whichever is the earlier.

1.4 Overview of the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

1.4.1 Mandate

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was established in June 2002 bringing together certain functions and staff of the former Departments of Tourism, Sport and Recreation (tourism and sport), and Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (the arts and cultural institutions), with the addition of Horseracing Ireland and Bord na gCon.

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has responsibility for:

As part of its ongoing activities the Department is also involved in:

Following the corporatisation of the National Museum and the National Library on 3rd May 2005, the Department has a staff of some 140 including the National Archives which remains part of the Department. The National Museum, National Library and National Archives will be required to produce their own Irish Language Schemes in accordance with the Act.

In addition, a number of State Agencies, which report to the Department, are charged with specific responsibilities in the arts, sport and tourism sectors. Most of these agencies will also be required to produce their own Irish Language Schemes in accordance with the Act.

1.4.2 Mission and Goals

In light of its mandate, the Department’s mission over the period 2005-2007 is:

The Department’s High Level Goals are:

Arts and Culture: To create an environment that enables arts and culture to flourish, through the provision of an appropriate legislative, policy and resource framework.

Sport: Recognising the role of sport in fostering healthy lifestyles, to support and influence increased interest and participation in sport, the improvement of standards of performance in sport and the development of sports facilities at national, regional and local level, through an appropriate policy and resource framework.

Tourism: To support the sustainable growth of the tourism industry and to help it address the competitive challenge through the development, implementation and influencing of a range of policy actions and programmes which optimise the economic and social benefits of the sector to Ireland.

Corporate Services: To manage organisational change and resources, to deliver quality services to our customers and to implement decentralisation policy.

1.4.3 Customers and Clients

The delivery of services and outcome of policies and strategies pursued by the Department ultimately impact on a wide array of people, including tourists, those involved in arts and culture, sporting associations and their members and the various related industries and employers. The Department’s key stakeholder and customer base comprises:

The Department is primarily a policy-making Department in the sectors for which it has responsibility. It has, therefore, limited direct interaction with members of the public. The Department does not operate public offices or provide services – other than information about its work and the management of certain schemes/programmes – directly to the public as such.

The quality customer service standards adopted by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in relation to delivery of services to our customers shall apply to those services which the Department has committed to deliver in the Irish language under this scheme.

1.4.4 Functional Areas of the Department

The functional areas of the Department comprise:

Support Units:

Further information on the activities of each unit of the Department is contained in the Department’s FOI Section 15&16 Manual which is available on the Department’s website – www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie.

1.4.5 Extent to which services are already available through Irish

The primary objective of the Official Languages Act 2003 is to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish.

At the present time, the Department provides a limited number of services bilingually. The Department’s corporate publications – Statement of Strategy, Annual Report and Customer Charter – are available in Irish and English. The Department currently has a policy of placing its press advertisements in both Irish and English and the Department’s headed paper, main signage and main pre-recorded telephone announcements are also in Irish and English. In accordance with the Department’s Customer Charter adopted in May 2003, the Department’s policy has been to endeavour to provide a service through Irish to personal callers to the Department where such a service is requested.

Chapter 2

Means of Communication with the Public

The Department communicates with the public through:

2.1 Written means of communication, including electronic communication

The Department has carried out an assessment of the various written means of communication with the public in use across the Department. These are set out below together with the commitments the Department is making in relation to the development of an Irish language service policy:

Means of Communication	Irish Language Service Delivery Commitment
Corporate Publications, including Statement of Strategy, Annual Report, Freedom of Information Section 15&16 Manual, Customer Charter and Customer Comment Card	● Section 10 of the Act requires a Statement of Strategy, Annual Report, Audited Accounts or Financial Statements and any document setting out public policy proposals to be published by the Department simultaneously in Irish and English. ● All other corporate publications will be made available in bilingual format.
Guidelines, information leaflets and application forms relating to individual schemes/programmes	● All guidelines, information leaflets and applications forms generated by the Department in relation to its schemes or programmes, and which are referred to in the Department’s FOI Section 15&16 Manual, will be made available in bilingual format.
Departmental publications on major policy statements or reviews in the arts, sports and tourism sectors	● These publications will in general be made available bilingually. If the cost of bilingual publication in any individual case is deemed excessive due to the size of document, the Department may choose to publish the executive summary/recommendations in bilingual format.
Publications generated by other bodies but available from the Department	● These publications will be made available in the language in which they have been published by the generating Department/body.
Means of Communication	Irish Language Service Delivery Commitment
Press releases	● Departmental press releases, other than speeches which have been issued as or are attached to press releases, will be made available bilingually on the Department’s website. (Appendices attached to press releases, e.g. lists of clubs awarded sports grants, full details of Board appointees, will be available in one official language only).
Pre-recorded computerised messaging	● The standard disclaimer on e-mail communications will be made bilingual. ● Individual staff members can choose to put the non-system generated part of the “out of office” e-mail message in Irish or English or both languages.
Speeches	● Speeches will be made available in the language in which they are delivered.
Requests for Tender	● Requests for Tender will be made available in English only unless the tender itself relates to an Irish Language issue.
Website	● The Department will develop parallel English/ Irish websites in respect of the general material relating to the Department and its services. Certain material, as indicated above, e.g. speeches, publications generated by other Departments/bodies and any material in respect of which the Department does not propose to publish bilingually will be available in English only on the web.
Statutory Instruments	● Statutory Instruments will be made available in Irish and English.
Gaeltacht Placenames	● The Department will put in place the necessary arrangements to ensure that the official placenames of Gaeltacht areas are used by the Department as the default for official purposes in Departmental publications, internal databases etc.
Means of Communication	Irish Language Service Delivery Commitment
Other publications	● Expenditure Review Reports, Progress Reports under the National Development Plan, Consultants’ Reports, Action Plans/Progress Reports under Sustaining Progress, documents intended for an audience outside the State and documents intended primarily for internal Departmental use, e.g. HR policies, training policies, customer charter implementation plans, will in general be made available in English only. ● Any other publications not listed above and not referred to in any other category will be considered for bilingual publication on a case-by-case basis with due regard to public interest and cost issues.

Where the Department has made commitments in relation to the development of bilingual means of written communication, including electronic communication, the following approach will apply:

2.2 Interpersonal means of communication

The Department has carried out an assessment of the various interpersonal means of communication with the public in use across the Department. These are set out below together with the commitments the Department is making in relation to the development of an Irish language service policy:

Means of Communication	Irish Language Service Delivery Commitment
Telephony/Switch Board service	● The Department will ensure, by July 2005, that the main non-system generated pre-recorded announcements (i.e. the pre-recorded announcements in place when the Department’s Offices are closed or when the switchboard operator is busy) are in bilingual format. ● The switchboard operator shall answer the phone by referring to the name of the Department in Irish. ● The switchboard staff will be provided with a list of Departmental staff members who can provide a service through Irish1. ● Individual staff members can choose to put their voicemail messages in Irish or English or both languages.
Reception facilities	● The reception staff will be provided with a list of Departmental staff members who can provide a service through Irish2.
One to one contact either by phone or in person	● In order to provide interpersonal services through Irish, whether by phone or in person, the Department will establish, by 1 July 2005, a Central Irish Language Unit. ● The Central Irish Language Unit will be assisted by staff spread across the Department who currently have Irish language proficiency. ● Staff with ability to provide inter-personal Irish language service will, with their agreement, be identified in an appropriate way on telephone lists, at reception and on the organisation chart and their e-mail addresses will be included under relevant sections on the website.
Public meetings policy	● The Department will consult with participants in advance of any such meetings on accessibility requirements, including Irish Language accessibility, and will make every effort to facilitate any needs identified.

Chapter 3

Enhancement of services to be provided bilingually

3.1 Services not available in Irish

In its first scheme, the Department’s main focus will be on building up the range of written and electronic means of communication available bilingually and on developing Irish language competency amongst staff to facilitate interpersonal Irish language service delivery on a general level. In practice, this means that while the Department will be in a position to provide general information about the Department and its overall services through Irish, the Department will not be in a position to conduct detailed service or programme specific business through Irish.

3.2 General commitment to Irish Language service development

The Department is committed to encouraging the development of Irish language skills across all areas of the Department to facilitate the progressive development of a quality one-to-one customer service in Irish to meet the demand for such services.

The Department is, however, starting from a relatively low base in terms of both written and interpersonal Irish language service capability. While the provision of written communications in bilingual format is primarily a cost and time issue, the development of Irish language skills by staff to facilitate day-to-day interpersonal service delivery is significantly more difficult. The Department has already carried out an Irish language skills audit across the Department and is in a position to provide a certain level of interpersonal Irish language services based on the current availability of Irish language skills. However, it will take considerably more time and effort to increase the relatively small core group of staff with sufficient Irish language capability and confidence to deliver Irish language services on an interpersonal level. The extent to which such interpersonal services can be developed will also be affected by actual demand for such services and, as mentioned in section 1.2, potentially also by Decentralisation.

Once it is established that staff and sections have the capacity to deal with Irish language customers on an interpersonal level, the Central Irish Language Unit will promote the availability of the Irish language service in such sections by listing, with the agreement of staff, contact details on the telephone list, organisation chart and website for customers. This will have the additional effect of promoting public confidence in the availability of a quality customer service in Irish and unlocking latent demand for services in Irish.

3.3 Training and Development

The Training Unit/Central Irish Language Unit will:

Chapter 4

Monitoring and Revision

The Central Irish Language Unit will provide support and assistance to all areas of the Department on the commitments contained in the scheme and will have overall responsibility for monitoring the operation of the scheme. The day-to-day monitoring and implementation function will be carried out by Principal Officers in respect of the Divisions for which they are responsible. The Central Irish Language Unit will also monitor on a regular basis supply and demand for Irish language services across all areas of the Department.

The Central Unit will report on progress at each meeting of the Partnership Committee and to the Management Advisory Committee on a quarterly basis. Progress on the Department’s scheme will be included in the Department’s Annual Report commencing with the 2005 Annual Report.

The Central Irish Language Unit will have a specific role in advising the Department’s Decentralisation Unit in relation to Irish language service issues arising from the scheme with a view to maintaining and developing Irish language services during and post decentralisation.

Chapter 5

Publicising of Agreed Scheme

The contents of this scheme has been publicised by means of:

A copy of this scheme has been forwarded to Oifig Choimisinéir na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.

An Clár

Caibidil 1 – Réamhrá agus Cúlra 3

1.1 Treoirlínte/Ullmhú na Scéime 3

1.2 Dílárú 3

1.3 Dáta tosaigh na scéime 5

1.4 Forléargas ar an Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta 5

1.4.1 Sainordú 5

1.4.2 Misean agus Spriocanna 7

1.4.3 Custaiméirí agus Cliaint 9

1.4.4 Réimsí Feidhme na Roinne 9

1.4.5 A mhéid is atá seirbhísí ar fáil cheana féin trí Ghaeilge 11

Caibidil 2 – Modhanna Cumarsáide leis an bPobal 13

2.1 Modhanna cumarsáide scríofa lena n-áirítear cumarsáid leictreonach 13

2.2 Modhanna cumarsáide idirphearsanta 17

Caibidil 3 – Feabhas ar Sheirbhísí a sholáthrófar go dátheangach 21

3.1 Seirbhísí nach bhfuil ar fáil trí Ghaeilge 21

3.2 Tiomantas Ginearálta i leith seirbhísí Gaeilge a fhorbairt 21

3.3 Oiliúint agus Forbairt 23

Caibidil 4 – Monatóireacht agus Athbhreithniú 25

Caibidil 5 – Poiblíocht ar an Scéim Chomhaontaithe 27

Caibidil 1

Réamhrá agus Cúlra

D’ullmhaigh an Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta an scéim seo de réir Ailt 11 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 (“an tAcht”).

Forálann Alt 11 d’ullmhú scéim reachtúil ag comhlachtaí poiblí ag tabhairt mionsonraí faoi na seirbhísí a sholáthróidh siad

agus na bearta a ghlacfar lena chinntiú go ndéanfar aon seirbhís nach bhfuiltear á soláthar ag comhlacht trí mheán na Gaeilge a sholáthar laistigh de fhráma ama aontaithe.

1.1 Treoirlínte/Ullmhú na scéime

Forálann Alt 12 den Acht d’ullmhú treoirlínte ag an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta agus a n-eisiúint chuig comhlachtaí poiblí d’fhonn cuidiú le hullmhú dréachtscéimeanna. Dréachtaíodh an scéim seo agus aird mar is cuí tugtha ar na treoirlínte.

D’fhoilsigh an Roinn seo fógra faoi Alt 13 den Acht ar an 15 Nollaig 2004, ag lorg aighneachtaí i ndáil le hullmhú na dréachtscéime faoi Alt 11 ó aon pháirtithe leasmhara. Tá gach aighneacht a fuarthas go leictreonach agus, achoimre orthu siúd a fuarthas ar chóip chrua, ar fáil anois ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie. Is mór ag an Roinn an t-am agus an dua a chaith na daoine lena mbaineann leis an bpróiseas seo.

Forbraíodh an scéim trí na haighneachtaí a fuarthas tríd an bpróiseas comhairliúcháin leis an bpobal, trí thuairimí agus mholtaí fhoireann na Roinne agus faoi mar atá cúrsaí sa Roinn faoi láthair maidir leis an bhfáil atá ar sheirbhís trí Ghaeilge agus maidir le cumas na seirbhíse seo. Chuidigh Grúpa Oibre Rannach, ar a raibh ionadaíocht ó réimsí feidhme na Roinne, i ndréachtú na scéime. Rinne an Grúpa Oibre measúnú chomh maith ar éileamh ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge roimhe seo.

1.2 Dílárú

Tá an Roinn iomlán tiomanta i dtreo na dtiomantas atá ina scéim a chomhlíonadh. Áiríodh an Roinn, áfach, sa chéad chéim i gclár díláraithe an Rialtais agus tá an t-aistriú go Cill Áirne á phleanáil aici faoi láthair. Beidh athrúchán an-suntasach ar fhoireann na Roinne de thoradh an díláraithe, de réir an tsuim a léiríodh san Áis Lárnach Iarratas. Ní bheidh ar chumas na Roinne foireann don dílárú a earcú de réir líofacht na Gaeilge de.

Dá dtarlódh go dtiocfadh athrú mór sa Roinn de bharr an díláraithe maidir leis an teacht a bheadh ar fhoireann oilte i nGaeilge, d’fhéadfadh nár mhór iarraidh ar an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta na cumhachtaí atá tugtha dó faoi Alt 16 den Acht a fheidhmiú d’fhonn an scéim a leasú.

Cuirfidh an Roinn roimpi scileanna Gaeilge i ngach réimse den Roinn a fhorbairt ar bhonn leanúnach, le linn an díláraithe agus ina dhiaidh, mar chuid dá clár oiliúna agus dá tiomantas i leith an tseirbhís a fheabhsú mar atá leagtha síos sa scéim.

1.3 Dáta tosaigh na scéime

Tá an scéim seo deimhnithe ag an Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta. Cuireadh tús leis an scéim ar 1 Iúil 2005 agus beidh feidhm léi ar feadh tréimhse trí bliana ón dáta sin nó go mbeidh scéim nua deimhnithe ag an Aire de bhun Ailt 15 den Acht, cibé acu is túisce.

1.4 Forléargas ar an Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta

1.4.1 Sainordú

Bunaíodh an Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta i Meitheamh na bliana 2002. Fágadh feidhmeanna áirithe agus baill foirne a bhí san iar-Roinn Turasóireachta, Spóirt agus Áinéasa (turasóireacht agus spórt) agus san iar-Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gaeltachta agus Oileán (na forais ealaíon agus chultúrtha), chomh maith le Rásaíocht Chapall na hÉireann agus Bord na gCon fúithi.

Tá an Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta freagrach as:

Tá an Roinn páirteach iontu seo a leanas mar chuid dá gníomhaíochtaí leanúnacha:

De bharr chorparáidiú Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann agus na Leabharlainne Náisiúnta ar an 3 Bealtaine 2005, tá foireann de 140 duine sa Roinn lena n-áirítear iad siúd sa Chartlann Náisiúnta atá fós mar chuid den Roinn. Beidh ar Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann, an Leabharlann Náisiúnta agus an Chartlann Náisiúnta a Scéimeanna Gaeilge féin a dhréachtú de réir an Achta.

Ina theannta sin, tugadh riachtanais shainiúla maidir leis na hearnálacha ealaíon, spóirt agus turasóireachta do líon áirithe de Ghníomhaireachtaí Stáit, a thuairiscíonn chuig an Roinn. Beidh ar fhormhór de na heagrais sin a Scéimeanna Gaeilge féin a dhréachtú de réir an Achta.

1.4.2 Misean agus Spriocanna

Is é seo a leanas Ráiteas Misin na Roinne don tréimhse 2005-2007 i bhfianaise an tsainordaithe atá tugtha di:

Is iad seo a leanas Spriocanna Ardleibhéil na Roinne:

Ealaíona agus Cultúr: Comhshaol a chruthú a thabharfadh deis borrtha do na healaíona agus don chultúr trí fhrámaíocht chuí reachtach, polasaí agus acmhainní a chur ar fáil.

Spórt: Ról an spóirt i gcothú stíleanna folláine maireachtála a aithint, tacaíocht agus spreagadh a thabhairt do spéis mhéadaithe agus do rannpháirtíocht i gcúrsaí spóirt, caighdeáin an tsaothraithe sa spórt a fheabhsú agus saoráidí spóirt a fhorbairt ar bhonn náisiúnta, réigiúnach agus áitiúil, trí fhrámaíocht chuí polasaí agus acmhainní.

Turasóireacht: Tacú le forás inbhuanaithe thionscal na turasóireachta agus cuidiú leis aghaidh a thabhairt ar dhúshlán an chomórtais trí raon de ghníomhartha agus de chláir pholasaí a fhorbairt, a fheidhmiú agus trí thionchar a imirt orthu chun an leas is fearr a bhaint as buntáistí geilleagracha agus sóisialta na hearnála d’Éirinn.

Seirbhísí Corparáideacha: Athrú eagraíochtúil agus acmhainní a bhainistiú d’fhonn seirbhísí caighdeánacha a chur ar fáil dár gcustaiméirí agus d’fhonn polasaí an díláraithe a chur i bhfeidhm.

1.4.3 Custaiméirí agus Cliaint

Téann seachadadh na seirbhísí agus fothoradh na bpolasaithe agus na straitéisí dá leanann an Roinn i bhfeidhm i ndeireadh thiar ar lear mór daoine; orthu sin tá turasóirí, iad siúd a bhíonn ag plé leis na healaíona agus leis an gcultúr, cumainn spóirt agus a mbaill agus na tionscail agus fostóirí ghaolmhara éagsúla. Tá na páirtithe leasmhara agus na custaiméirí seo i bpríomhbhunachar na Roinne:

Is Roinn déanta polasaí, go príomha, í an Roinn sna hearnálacha dá bhfuil sí freagrach. Is teoranta mar sin an idirghníomhaíocht dhíreach a bhíonn aici leis an bpobal. Níl oifigí poiblí ag an Roinn ná ní bhíonn seirbhísí á soláthar go díreach aici don phobal – seachas eolas a chur ar fáil faoina cuid oibre agus a bheith i mbun bainistíochta ar scéimeanna/ar chláir áirithe.

Beidh feidhm ag na seirbhísí ardchaighdeáin do chustaiméirí atá glactha ag an Roinn Ealaíon, Spóirt agus Turasóireachta maidir le seirbhísí a sholáthar dár gcustaiméirí, i leith na seirbhísí sin atá an Roinn tiomanta a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge faoin scéim.

1.4.4 Réimsí Feidhme na Roinne

Is iad seo a leanas réimsí feidhme na Roinne:

Aonaid Tacaíochta:

Tá a thuilleadh eolais faoi ghníomhaíochtaí gach ceann d’aonaid na Roinne le fáil in Alt 15&16 i Lámhleabhar um Shaoráil Faisnéise na Roinne agus tá sé sin ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne – www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie.

1.4.5 A mhéid is atá seirbhísí ar fáil cheana féin trí Ghaeilge

Is é príomhchuspóir Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a chinntiú go mbeidh seirbhísí poiblí ar fáil níos fairsinge trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeidh caighdeán níos fearr ag baint leo.

Cuireann an Roinn líon teoranta de sheirbhísí ar fáil go dátheangach i láthair na huaire. Tá foilseacháin chorparáideacha na Roinne – Ráiteas Straitéise, Tuarascáil Bhliantúil agus Cairt don Chustaiméir – ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Faoi láthair tá sé de pholasaí ag an Roinn a cuid fógraíochta sna nuachtáin a bheith i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla agus tá páipéarachas sainchlóite na Roinne, an phríomhchomharthaíocht agus na príomhfhógraí réamhthaifeadta teileafóin i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon. Faoi réir Chairt Chustaiméara na Roinne atá i bhfeidhm ó Bhealtaine 2003 is é polasaí na Roinne iarracht a dhéanamh seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge do dhaoine a bhuaileann isteach chuig an Roinn agus a éilíonn seirbhís dá leithéid.

Caibidil 2

Modhanna Cumarsáide leis an bPobal

Déanann an Roinn cumarsáid leis an bpobal mar seo:

2.1 Modhanna cumarsáide scríofa lena n-áirítear cumarsáid leictreonach

Rinne an Roinn measúnú ar na modhanna éagsúla scríofa a bhíonn in úsáid sa Roinn le cumarsáid a dhéanamh leis an bpobal. Leagtar iad sin amach anseo thíos chomh maith leis na tiomantais atá á ndéanamh ag an Roinn maidir le polasaí ar sheirbhís trí Ghaeilge a fhorbairt:

Modhanna Cumarsáide	Tiomantas chun Seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge
Foilseacháin Chorparáideacha, lena n-áirítear Ráiteas Straitéise, Tuarascáil Bhliantúil, Alt 15&16 den Lámhleabhar um Shaoráil Faisnéise, Cairt don Chustaiméir agus Cárta Tráchtaireachta an Chustaiméara	● Leagann Alt 10 den Acht dualgas ar an Roinn Ráiteas Straitéise, Tuarascáil Bhliantúil, Cuntas Iniúchta, Ráiteas Airgeadais nó aon doiciméad ina leagtar amach tograí beartais phoiblí a fhoilsiú i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla go comhuaineach. ● Cuirfear gach foilseachán corparáideach eile ar fáil go dátheangach.
Treoirlínte, bileoga eolais agus foirmeacha iarratais a bhaineann le scéimeanna/cláir faoi leith	● Cuirfear gach treoirlíne, bileog eolais agus foirm iarratais a thagann ón Roinn i ndáil lena scéimeanna nó cláir, agus dá dtagraítear in Alt 15&16 de Lámhleabhar um Shaoráil Faisnéise na Roinne, ar fáil go dátheangach.
Foilseacháin na Roinne maidir le mór-ráitis pholasaí nó athbhreithnithe ar na hearnálacha ealaíon, spóirt agus turasóireachta	● Cuirfear na foilseacháin seo ar fáil go ginearálta go dátheangach. Má mheastar go mbeidh costas ró-ard ag baint le foilseachán ar leith a chur ar fáil go dátheangach de bharr mhéid an doiciméid, is féidir leis an Roinn cinneadh a dhéanamh an achoimre feidhmiúcháin/moltaí a fhoilsiú go dátheangach.
Foilseacháin de chuid comhlachtaí eile ach atá ar fáíl ón Roinn	● Cuirfear na foilseacháin sin ar fáil i gcibé teanga ar fhoilsigh an Roinn/comhlacht bunaidh iad.
Modhanna Cumarsáide	Tiomantas chun Seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge
Preaseisiúintí	● Cuirfear preaseisiúintí na Roinne, seachas óráidí atá eisithe astu féin nó atá ceangailte le preaseisiúintí, ar fáil go dátheangach ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne. (Is in aon teanga oifigiúil amháin a chuirfear aguisíní a théann le preaseisiúintí, mar shampla liosta cumann dár tugadh deontais spóirt, sonraí iomlána cheapacháin an Bhoird.)
Cur Teachtaireachtaí Réamhthaifeadta Ríomhairithe	● Cuirfear an gnáthshéanadh ar chumarsáid ríomhphoist ar fáil go dátheangach. ● Is féidir le baill aonaracha foirne an chuid sin den teachtaireacht ríomhphoist nach bhfuil córasghinte, a mhíníonn go bhfuil duine as láthair, a chur i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla nó sa dá theanga.
Óráidí	● Cuirfear óráidí ar fáil sa teanga ar tugadh iad.
Iarratais ar Thairiscintí	● Cuirfear Iarratais ar Thairiscintí ar fáil i mBéarla amháin muna mbaineann an tairiscint féin le saincheist Ghaeilge.
Suíomh Gréasáin	● Forbróidh an Roinn suíomh gréasáin i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon i ndáil leis an ngnáthábhar a bhaineann leis an Roinn agus lena seirbhísí. Cuirfear ábhar ar leith, mar a léirítear thuas, mar shampla óráidí, foilseacháin le Ranna/comhlachtaí eile agus aon ábhar nach bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Roinn a fhoilsiú go dátheangach ar fáil i mBéarla amháin ar an suíomh gréasáin.
Ionstraimí Reachtúla	● Cuirfear Ionstraimí Reachtúla ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla.
Logainmneacha Gaeltachta	● Cuirfidh an Roinn na socruithe riachtanacha i bhfeidhm lena chinntiú go n-úsáidfidh an Roinn an leagan oifigiúil de logainmneacha Gaeltachta mar mhainneachtain i ngnóthaí oifigiúla ar nós foilseacháin oifigiúla agus bunachar sonraí inmheánacha na Roinne.
Modhanna Cumarsáide	Tiomantas chun Seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge
Foilseacháin eile	● Cuirfear Tuarascálacha ar Athbhreithniú Caiteachais, Tuarascálacha Dul Chun Cinn faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta, Tuarascálacha Comhairleoirí, Pleananna Gnímh/Tuarascálacha Dul Chun Cinn faoi Dul Chun Cinn a Inbhuanú, doiciméid atá dírithe ar lucht léite taobh amuigh den Stát agus doiciméid a bheadh in úsáid go príomha laistigh den Roinn mar shampla polasaithe Acmhainní Daonna, polasaithe oiliúna, pleananna dírithe ar an gcairt don chustaiméir a chur i bhfeidhm, ar fáil go ginearálta i mBéarla amháin. ● Déanfar aon fhoilseachán eile nach luaitear thuas agus nach luaitear in aon chatagóir eile a mheas, ó cheann go ceann, maidir lena bhfoilsiú go dátheangach agus aird mar is cuí tugtha ar shuim an phobail agus ar shaincheisteanna costais.

Cuirfear an cur chuige seo a leanas i bhfeidhm áit ar thug an Roinn tiomantais i leith modhanna dátheangacha den chumarsáid scríofa a fhorbairt, lena n-áirítear cumarsáid leictreonach:

2.2 Modhanna cumarsáide idirphearsanta

Tá measúnú déanta ag an Roinn ar na modhanna éagsúla idirphearsanta a bhíonn in úsáid ag an Roinn ina cumarsáid leis an bpobal. Tá siad sin leagtha amach anseo thíos mar aon leis na tiomantais atá á dtabhairt ag an Roinn maidir le polasaí a fhorbairt i ndáil le seirbhís trí Ghaeilge:

Modhanna Cumarsáide	Tiomantas chun Seirbhís a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge
Seirbhís Teileafónaíochta/Mhalartáin	● Cinnteoidh an Roinn, faoi Iúil 2005, go mbeidh na príomhfhógraí réamhthaifeadta nach fógraí córasghinte iad (i.e. na fógraí réamhthaifeadta a bhíonn in úsáid nuair a bhíonn Oifigí na Roinne dúnta nó nuair a bhíonn an t-oibrí malartáin gnóthach) le clos go dátheangach. ● Tabharfaidh an t-oibrí malartáin ainm na Roinne i nGaeilge agus é/í ag freagairt an teileafóin. ● Cuirfear liosta de bhaill foirne, atá inniúil ar sheirbhís a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge, ar fáil d’fhoireann an mhalartáin1. ● Beidh sé de rogha ag baill aonair foirne a dteachtaireachtaí glórphoist a bheith i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla nó sa dá theanga.
Áiseanna ag an bhFáiltiú	● Cuirfear liosta de bhaill na Roinne, atá inniúil ar sheirbhís a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge, ar fáil don fhoireann ag an bhfáiltiú2.
Teagmháil ó dhuine go duine ar an teileafón nó os comhair a chéile	● Bunóidh an Roinn, faoin 1 Iúil 2005, Príomh-Aonad Gaeilge d’fhonn seirbhísí idirphearsanta trí Ghaeilge a sholáthar, cibé acu an ag freagairt an teileafóin é nó ag labhairt le daoine os comhair a chéile. ● Cuideoidh baill foirne atá scaipthe sa Roinn agus atá oilte sa teanga leis an bPríomh-Aonad Gaeilge. ● Aithneofar baill foirne atá in acmhainn seirbhís idirphearsanta a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge, lena dtoil, ar bhealach cuí, ar liostaí teileafóin, ag an bhfáiltiú agus ar chairt na heagraíochta agus beidh a seoltaí ríomhphoist ar fáil faoi na míreanna cuí ar an suíomh gréasáin.
Polasaí ar chruinnithe poiblí	● Rachaidh an Roinn i gcomhairle le rannpháirtithe roimh aon chruinniú dá leithéid maidir le freastal ar riachtanais, lena n-áirítear freastal ar riachtanais i nGaeilge agus déanfaidh sí a dícheall chun aon riachtanas a aithnítear a éascú.

Caibidil 3

Feabhas ar Sheirbhísí a sholáthrófar go dátheangach

3.1 Seirbhísí nach bhfuil ar fáil trí Ghaeilge

Díreoidh an Roinn, go príomha, sa chéad scéim dá cuid, ar chur leis an raon de mhodhanna scríofa agus leictreonacha cumarsáide atá ar fáil go dátheangach agus ar inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge a fhorbairt i measc na foirne chun seirbhísí idirphearsanta trí Ghaeilge a éascú go ginearálta. Ciallaíonn sé seo, go praiticiúil, nach mbeidh ar chumas na Roinne seirbhís mhionsonraithe nó sainchlár ghnó a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge cé go mbeidh ar a cumas eolas ginearálta faoin Roinn agus a seirbhísí go léir a chur ar fáil sa teanga.

3.2 Tiomantas ginearálta i leith seirbhísí Gaeilge a fhorbairt

Tá an Roinn tiomanta d’fhorbairt scileanna i nGaeilge a spreagadh i ngach aon réimse den Roinn chun forbairt fhorchéimnitheach i seirbhísí ardchaighdeáin do chustaiméirí, trí Ghaeilge, ó dhuine go duine, a éascú chun freastal ar an éileamh ar sheirbhísí dá leithéid.

Le fírinne, is cumas íseal go leor atá sa Roinn maidir le seirbhís idirphearsanta nó scríofa a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge. Cé gur costas agus am is mó a bhaineann le hábhar scríofa cumarsáide a chur ar fáil go dátheangach beidh sé i bhfad níos deacra scileanna i labhairt na Gaeilge a fhorbairt i measc na foirne chun seirbhísí idirphearsanta a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge ó lá go lá. Tá iniúchadh déanta cheana féin ag an Roinn ar scileanna i labhairt na Gaeilge sa Roinn agus tá ar a cumas leibhéal áirithe de sheirbhísí idirphearsanta a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge bunaithe ar na scileanna sa teanga labhartha atá ann faoi láthair. Mar sin féin, beidh i bhfad níos mó ama agus dúthrachta ag teastáil chun an lárghrúpa beag foirne, a bhfuil dóthain acmhainne agus muiníne acu as a gcumas labhartha sa teanga chun seirbhísí idirphearsanta a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, a mhéadú. Beidh tionchar ag an éileamh a bheidh ann ar a mhéid is féidir na seirbhísí idirphearsanta seo a fhorbairt agus, mar a luadh in alt 1.2, is dóigh go mbeidh tionchar freisin ag Dílárú air.

A thúisce is a chinntítear go bhfuil ar chumas na foirne agus na ranna déileáil le custaiméirí Gaeilge go hidirphearsanta, cuirfidh an Príomh-Aonad Gaeilge an tseirbhís trí Ghaeilge chun cinn sna ranna sin trí shonraí teagmhála a chur, le cead na foirne, ar an liosta teileafóin, ar chairt na heagraíochta agus ar an suíomh gréasáin dá custaimeirí. Toradh sa bhreis air seo is ea go méadófar muinín an phobail as seirbhísí ardchaighdeáin a bheith ar fáil, trí Ghaeilge, do chustaiméirí agus go n-ardóidh sé éileamh folaigh ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge.

3.3 Oiliúint agus Forbairt

Cuirfidh an tAonad Oiliúna/An Príomh-Aonad Gaeilge roimhe:

Caibidil 4

Monatóireacht agus Athbhreithniú

Tabharfaidh an Príomh-Aonad Gaeilge tacaíocht agus cuidiú don fhoireann i réimsí uile na Roinne maidir leis na tiomantais atá sa scéim agus beidh freagracht iomlán aige as monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú na scéime. Is faoi na Príomhoifigigh a bheidh feidhm na monatóireachta agus an fheidhmiúcháin ó lá go lá maidir leis na Rannóga as a bhfuil siad féin freagrach. Déanfaidh an Príomh-Aonad Gaeilge monatóireacht go rialta ar an soláthar agus ar an éileamh a bheidh ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge ar fud réimsí uile na Roinne.

Tuairisceoidh an Príomh-Aonad ar an dul chun cinn ag gach cruinniú den Choiste Comhpháirtíochta agus chuig an gCoiste Comhairleach Bainistíochta in aghaidh na ráithe. Tabharfar cur síos ar dhul chun cinn scéim na Roinne i dTuarascáil Bhliantúil na Roinne ag tosú le Tuarascáil Bhliantúil 2005.

Beidh ról ar leith ag an bPríomh-Aonad Gaeilge ó thaobh comhairle a chur ar Aonad Díláraithe na Roinne i ndáil le saincheisteanna a bhainfidh le seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a eascróidh as an scéim d’fhonn seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge a choinneáil ar bun agus a fhorbairt fad is a bheidh dílárú ag tarlú agus ina dhiaidh sin.

Caibidil 5

Poiblíocht ar an Scéim Chomhaontaithe

Fógraíodh ábhar na scéime seo sna slite seo a leanas:

Tá cóip den scéim seo seolta ar aghaidh chuig Oifig Choimisinéir na dTeangacha Oifigiúla.

1 The switchboard service for the Department is currently provided by contract staff.

2 Reception facilities for the Department are generally provided by staff from other Departments.

1 Is foireann ar chonradh a sholáthraíonn an tseirbhís mhalartáin don Roinn faoi láthair.

2 De ghnáth is foireann as Ranna eile a chuireann áiseanna fáiltithe ar fáil don Roinn.