549. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the annual capital expenditure for each of the past ten years on Irish language centres or centres (details supplied); and the estimated cost of recruiting an additional full-time language planning officer for every Gaeltacht language planning area, for every Irish language network, and for every Gaeltacht Service Town, in tabular form. [46575/26]

Following the biggest ever increase for the Irish language and Gaeltacht in Budget 2026, an additional €2.3m was invested in the language planning process for 2026. This funding is intended to provide support for the delivery of initiatives and work programmes in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks. The additional funding will enable the allocation of resources to schools, community organisations and training programmes that focus on developing and nurturing language capacity.

Currently, approval has been given by my Department for the employment of 48 Language Planning Officers (LPOs) in the 26 Language Planning Areas, 10 Gaeltacht Service Towns and 3 Irish Language Networks. Under this arrangement, the lead organisations are permitted to employ one or, in certain cases, more than one Language Planning Officers (LPOs).

A specific pay scale is in place for Language Planning Officers, as outlined below:

€36,450, €39,000, €41,550, €44,100, €46,650, €49,200, €51,750.

It should be noted that Language Planning Officers can start on any point between 1 and 4 on the scale depending on experience and qualifications. Five Language Planning Areas are approved to employ 2 Language Planning Officers to further support the implementation of their plans. These are:

• Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir

• Cois Fharraige

• Conamara Láir

• Ciarraí Thiar

• Maigh Eo Thuaidh

In one exceptional case, the lead organisation in the Oileán Árainn Language Planning Area is approved to employ 3 Language Planning Officers - one on each island.

When every language plan has been approved and the Language Planning Process is fully underway there will be 52 Language Planning Officers employed in 47 distinct areas. If an additional Language planning officer were to be employed in each of the 47 areas, annually it would cost a minimum of €1,713,150 and a maximum of €2,432,250 depending on the point on the pay scale at which individual starts.

The table below outlines potential costs associated with employing an additional LPO in each of the approved and designated Gaeltacht areas currently operating:

Language Plans have yet to be approved for the following Gaeltacht Service Towns:

My Department also administers the Irish Language Support Schemes for the development of Irish language and cultural centres outside the Gaeltacht.

The purpose of the capital assistance provided under this scheme is to strengthen the Irish language as a community and family language in line with the objectives of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. This fund is aimed at constructing and renovating buildings for use as Irish language centres and funding is also available to purchase equipment for such centres.

Applications are accepted from community-based organisations and funding of up to 80% (95% for preschool Projects) of eligible costs may be awarded depending on the case. Capital costs as well as professional costs (i.e. engineering/architectural advice) may be included for grant purposes.

Expenditure under this scheme for Ionaid Gaeilge is set out Below: