491. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if there are any proposals under consideration to review, revise or expand the current statutory Gaeltacht boundaries; whether any assessment has been undertaken of communities located immediately adjacent to existing Gaeltacht areas which have significant Irish-speaking populations or strong Irish-language educational provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75122/26]

Both my Department and its agencies, Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta, remain committed to promoting and strengthening the Irish language both within and outside designated Gaeltacht areas through a range of policies and initiatives aimed at supporting the use of the language.

In accordance with the provisions of the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Gaeltacht is now divided into 26 Language Planning Areas. In addition, the Act provides for the recognition of towns serving Gaeltacht communities as Gaeltacht Service Towns. Sixteen of these towns have been identified following a public consultation process, 2 of which are situated within the Gaeltacht boundaries with the remaining 14 situated outside the Gaeltacht. In addition, there are currently 3 statutory Irish Language Networks recognised under the Act with a further 2 recognised under a non-statutory scheme administered by Foras na Gaeilge north of the border. The Deputy should be aware that I recently approved a proposal by Foras na Gaeilge to seek expressions of interest from a further 3 language communities for recognition as statutory Irish Language Networks.

I can confirm that I, as Minister, do not have the authority, under the Act, to extend the boundaries of the Gaeltacht.