The first ever Irish Language Strategy for the Courts Service has been published, with the stated aim of evolving the Courts Service into a genuinely bilingual organisation where members of the public can interact with the service in Irish at the same level they do in English.
Dónal Ó Gallachóir, Courts Service Irish Language Strategy Manager (Bainisteoir Straitéise Gaeilge), said of the new strategy, “the goal is that the public will experience an active bilingual offering without delay or difficulty. We also aim that staff use of the first national language is actively welcomed and encouraged”.
Dúirt Dónal Ó Gallachóir, Bainisteoir Straitéise Gaeilge na Seirbhíse Cúirteanna, maidir leis an straitéis nua, “is í an sprioc atá ann go mbeidh tairiscint ghníomhach dhátheangach ar fáil don phobal gan aon mhoill nó deacracht. Tá sé mar aidhm againn freisin go gcuirfear fáilte roimh úsáid na chéad teanga náisiúnta i measc na foirne agus go spreagfar a húsáid go gníomhach”.
The strategy contains 44 actions across 6 priorities and provides a vision and clear sense of direction for the development of the Irish language across the next 3 years in the organisation.
Mr Ó Gallachóir said it was their “ambition to develop a centralised Irish Language Office, improve quality and availability of an Irish language service and bring about parity between English and Irish in all service provision in the Courts Service”.
Is í ár n-uaillmhian Oifig Ghaeilge láraithe a fhorbairt, feabhas a chur ar chaighdeán agus ar infhaighteacht seirbhíse Gaeilge agus cothromaíocht a bhaint amach idir an Béarla agus an Ghaeilge i ngach soláthar seirbhíse sa tSeirbhís Chúirteanna.
The service will work to actively recruit those with Irish Language skills, alongside the development of a comprehensive tailored Irish language training programme, and will develop a Framework for providing Irish language service to the public online, in person and on the phone.
The strategy said that staff require increased awareness about Irish language obligations and requirements and there is a need for more court registrars with competency in the Irish language.
“Staff members who have Irish lack the confidence to deliver the same service they do in English, through Irish, and this confidence needs to be nurtured,” it says and staff and Judges require more support with the translation and proofreading of written materials in Irish.
“The Courts Service will investigate methods of providing a guarantee of availability of Irish language court interpreters for all hearings where required,” the Strategy reads, adding “we will provide additional support and conduct continuous workforce analysis and planning to ensure Gaeltacht venues can always operate fully in Irish.”
Cuirfimid tacaíocht bhreise ar fáil agus déanfaimid anailís agus pleanáil leanúnach ar an lucht oibre lena chinntiú gur féidir le hionaid Ghaeltachta feidhmiú go hiomlán i nGaeilge i gcónaí.
“The strategy is not one simply written and forgotten about,” the Courts Service said. There will be a proactive and defined approach to furthering and achieving its goals. These include a set of notable actions needed.”
That included: Compliance with legislation and regulations; Training, recruitment, workforce planning and development; Supporting the Judiciary in relation to the Irish language; Supporting Courts Service services and functions; Facilitating the use of Irish language in court proceedings and Raising Awareness, Promotion of and Engagement with the Irish language in the Courts Service.
Examples of promotion and engagement included the organisation of annual Irish language half day conference, starting in 2027 and the commencement of a ‘Take your coffee break As Gaeilge’ initiative.
Comhdháil leathlae bhliantúil don Ghaeilge a eagrú, ag tosú in 2027 agus tús a chur le tionscnamh ‘Tóg do shos caife as Gaeilge’.
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