asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht if he has any plans for furthering the use of the Irish language in urban areas which are at present not designated Gaeltacht areas; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.

D'fhonn leas na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, agus go háirithe a húsáid mar theanga bheo a leathadh i measc an phobail, tá méadú maith á dhéanamh agam i mbliana ar an gcúnamh airgid a thugann mo Roinn

—do Bhord na Gaeilge agus d'eagrais Ghaeilge,

—do Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann,

—do nuachtáin agus d'irisí Gaeilge,

—do ghearrscannáin Ghaeilge, agus

—ar mhaithe le foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.

Is it not true that there are substantial grant benefits available to people living in Gaeltacht areas, and is he aware that there are at least 1,000 Irish-speaking families in this city alone, and many more Irish-speaking families in other urban areas, who because of where they live are deprived of the benefits which this policy gives? Would the Minister consider reviewing the position of positive discrimination against people in urban areas in regard to these benefits?

Nach Aire na Gaeilge atá againn anois tar éis an Ard-Fheis?

Would the Minister consider extending the concept of the Gaeltacht to include a Gaeltacht membership based on urban areas and try to encourage their use of the Irish language. There are many people in Gaeltacht areas benefiting substantially from the public purse who are what one might call marginal members of the Gaeltacht and I see no reason why urban areas should be discriminated against in the matter of grants.

Tá cabhair dá thabhairt ag an Stát do eagraisí atá baint acu le Gaeilge agus le cultúr. Tá na figiúirí sin le fáil go réidh. Baineann an Aireacht seo leis an nGaeltacht féin, ach beidh Bord na Gaeilge feasta ag plé le cúrsaí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Tá £300,000 dá chaitheamh i mbliana acu ar chúrsaí taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht, nó an chuid is mó díobh.

Ní hiad sin na scéimeanna cathardha a bhi i gceist agam.

Bheadh sé andheachair daoine a phiocadh amach anseo is ansud sna bailtí móra agus áiseanna atá ar fáil do mhuintir na Gaeltacha a thabhairt dóibh i láthair na huaire. Ní fheicim aon chaoi a bhféadfaí scéim mar sin a chur ar aghaidh go praicticiúil.

There are certain schemes in the Gaeltacht areas where families benefit from arts and crafts and so forth and I do not see why such a scheme should not be extended to the urban areas—it is their constitutional right.

Baineann na scéimeanna sin leis an Ghaeltacht féin agus ní bhaineann siad le háiteanna taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht.

Would the Minister agree to consider it.

Aontaoím leis an Teachta go bhfuil moladh mór ag dul do dhuine ar bith atá ag déanamh a dhícheall ar son na Gaeilge taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht—níos mó moladh ná mar atá ag dul do mhuintir na Gaeltachta fhéin.

On a point of order. Before the next question is called, I wish to protest at the absence of the Minister for Education. Under the present system of answering questions it seems to be impossible to have a Minister available except occasionally.

The Deputy is not in order in raising that matter at Question Time and if he insists he is defying the Chair. The Deputy is familiar with precedent and Standing Orders.

It is not helpful to Opposition spokesmen when the Minister is not here to answer questions.

In view of the Minister's absence I should like to have questions Nos. 18, 19, 26 and 27 postponed.

I should like to have No. 21 postponed.

Questions Nos. 18, 19, 21, 26 and 27 are postponed.

Questions Nos. 18 and 19 postponed.