Forward step in embedding Irish in Public Sector Systems

• Minister Calleary officially opens the first meeting of the Technical Working Group - established under the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services
• This group will play a central role in embedding the Irish language in technological developments and digitisation of the public services in years to come

This morning, Minister Calleary met representatives of the Technical Working Group which has now been established under the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services. He officially opened their first meeting, which was held in the Offices of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in Dublin.

This group’s work will be a central support mechanism to the successful implementation of a number of technical aspects in the move towards a bilingual public service. The group’s work will include ensuring that ICT systems are able to accept names, addresses and titles in the Irish language and that the concept of “bilingual by design” and the active offer will be embedded in technological developments. Through the group’s work, it is intended for users to be given the opportunity to register their language choice when requesting services. There is broad representation on the group, from Government Departments to wider public bodies, with the membership emphasising core services and interaction with the public.

Speaking today, Minister Calleary said:

The need for such a technical working group was recognised through the work of the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee, to which the group will be reporting.

Background

The first National Plan for Irish Language Public Services (GA/EN) in the history of the State was published in October 2024. It is a research-based plan, prepared by the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee (GA/EN) which was established under the Official Languages Act, 2003 (as amended) (GA/EN).

The National Plan focuses on five major strategic themes in the following areas:

1. Broad Initiatives and Structural Strengthening;
2. Provision of Public Services through Irish;
3. Technology;
4. Training, Recruitment and Language Competence; and
5. Data Collection.

This plan provides a roadmap for public bodies to achieve the overall objectives of the Official Languages Act, namely, to greatly improve and increase the number and quality of public services provided through Irish, especially in Gaeltacht areas, and to ensure that public bodies have an adequate supply of staff competent in Irish to provide those services.

The publication of this plan is a significant forward step towards a truly bilingual public service, and it will be supported with two Action Plans. The first of these is to be submitted to Government and published shortly.

Establishment of a Technical Working Group

In light of how important it will be to embed the Irish language element in technological developments and digitisation of the Public Services in years to come, this area was specifically addressed under Major Strategic Theme 3 of the National Plan.

Objective 6 of that theme sets out:

1. That a technical working group or groups be established to examine matters relating to Points 1–5 above in particular, together with the implementation of Section 9A and 9B.

Objectives/Points 1-5 are as follows:

1. That a proactive approach is taken in terms of embedding an Irish language element at the outset in developments that are and will be emerging in the technology sector, especially as it relates to the use of artificial intelligence in the context of the provision of public services
2. That the websites, systems or other interactive services which should be made available in both official languages, taking into account specific priorities in the short, medium and long term, be examined.
3. That methods of embedding the concept of active offer into various technological developments as far as possible be examined.
4. That the possibilities be examined regarding a citizen having the opportunity to register their language choice (Irish and/or English) in one place for common public services and that this could then be used throughout the public sector.
5. That technical support tools that could be made available to public sector employees to facilitate the provision of high quality public services through Irish be identified and examined.

Sections 9A and 9B of the Official Languages Act relate to the following matters:

• Section 9A: the accurate recording and use of names, addresses and titles in Irish, including the use of the síneadh fada (length accent) and ensuring that ICT systems are configured to accept them;
• Section 9B: the layout of bilingual or Irish only official forms.

The group will operate over a term of three years, with annual reviews and the flexibility to adapt to statutory and operational requirements as they arise.

Membership of the Group:

The members of this Technical Working Group will be senior technical officers (AP grade equivalent or higher, and in an ICT-related field), representative of the following organisations:

1. Chair: DRCDG in its role as secretariat for the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee
2. ICT Specialist Advisor contracted to provided subject matter expertise
3. DPER/OGCIO
4. Department of Social Protection
5. Department of Foreign Affairs/Passport Office
6. Department of Transport/Motor Tax Office
7. Health Service Executive
8. An Garda Síochána
9. Local Government Management Agency
10. An Post
11. Revenue
12. Road Safety Authority/NDLS
13. National Transport Authority/TFI Leap Card
14. Pobal