Official Languages Act 2003
The Official Languages Act 2003 was signed into law on 14 July 2003. The primary objective of the Act is to ensure the improved provision of public services through the Irish language
Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021
The Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law by the President of Ireland on 22 December 2021. This new legislation is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003 and it is widely recognised that it will make a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies.
The key objectives of the Act are that:
- 20% of recruits to the public sector will be competent in the Irish language by the end of 2030;
- All public services provided in and for Gaeltacht areas will be provided through Irish;
- All public offices in the Gaeltacht will operate through the medium of Irish; and
- A National Plan for Irish Language Public Services will be developed.
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National Plan for Irish Language Public Services
The National Plan for Irish Language Public Services 2024-2030 is an ambitious and strategic 6-year plan.
It is the first ever Plan of its kind in the history of the State and a central element in the move towards a fully bilingual public service under the Official Languages Acts 2003 and 2021.
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Official Languages Act 2003
The purpose of the Official Languages Act is to increase in an organised manner over a period of time, thequantity and quality of services provided by public bodies to the public through Irish. The Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga has published a (opens in a new window)guidebook to assist the public regarding their language rights and to provide advice to public bodies regarding their (opens in a new window)duties under the Official Languages Act.
(opens in a new window)Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021
Click on the boxes below to see examples of best practice in the implementation of direct duties.