Technical Working Group under the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services

The Technical Working Group (GA/EN) was established on the 15 October 2025 under Objective 6 of Major Strategic Theme 3: Technology in the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services, which sets out the following:

6. 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 relate to the following:

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

The Technical Working Group will operate for a term of three years, subject to annual reviews with flexibility to adapt to emerging legislative and operational needs.

The Technical Working Group reports to the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee (GA/EN).

The members of the Technical Working Group are senior technical officers (equivalent to Assistant Principal Officer grade or above and in an ICT-related field), representing 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. The Department of Social Protection
5. The Department of Foreign Affairs/Passport Office
6. The 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

• Information Note for the Members
• Terms of Reference
• Meetings of the Group

Meeting 1: Wednesday, the 15 October 2025

• Agenda
• Minutes

• Recent Highlights about the Group & the Act in General
• General Information about the Official Languages Act
• The National Plan for Irish Language Public Services
• Irish Language Services Advisory Committee
• Copies of Legislation