38. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on plans to expand Líonra Gaeilge scheme to new towns. [53299/26]

Irish Language Networks may be recognised under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 provided that language plans have been agreed with the communities in the various networks in accordance with prescribed language planning criteria. Foras na Gaeilge is responsible under the Gaeltacht Act, 2012, for supporting organisations in the preparation and implementation of language plans in the Irish Language Networks.

3 Irish Language Networks have been approved to date under the Gaeltacht Act: Inis, Baile Locha Riach and Cluain Dolcáin. In addition, two further networks in the north – Carn Tóchair and Iarthar Bhéal Feirste – have been approved under a non-statutory process administered by Foras na Gaeilge.

In 2020, Foras na Gaeilge reviewed the organisation's Irish Language Community Scheme and, as a successor, the Irish Language Network Development Scheme was launched. Among the aims of this scheme is that current grantees place a particular emphasis on working towards recognition as an Irish Language Network. Through the scheme, groups are being empowered to come forward and enter the next round of both the statutory application process in operation in the southern jurisdiction and the non-statutory process in the north.

As the Irish Language Network Development Scheme is closely linked to the objectives of the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Board of Foras na Gaeilge approved an extension of time for current scheme grantees until the end of 2026. This will provide me with the opportunity, as Minister, to make a decision as to when the next cycle of preparing language plans for Irish Language Networks will commence, taking into account the current status of the language planning process, feedback from Foras na Gaeilge, and the financial resources available to my Department in the coming years.