Up to 180 EU jobs for Irish speakers are expected to become available in Brussels and Luxembourg by the end of 2021, it was announced yesterday at the launch of a recruitment campaign for the first 62 positions.
Irish was recognised as an official and working language of the EU in 2007. EU institutions are now preparing to provide Irish language services at the same level as those provided for the other 24 official languages of the EU.
Speaking in Dublin, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs Seán Kyne said the announcement offered practical reasons for people to study Irish.
"Often, school students have felt there were only very limited careers arising out of Irish language studies," he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity to pursue a rewarding international career and to raise the profile of our national language across Europe. "
Big test
The application process is open to university graduates with an “excellent command” of Irish and a “thorough knowledge” of at least two other official EU languages, including English, French or German.
Asked whether the initiative was the best use of public resources, Mr Kyne said it was just one part of the Government’s overall 20-year strategy for the language and would provide career opportunities for people with a high standard of Irish. He acknowledged there had been some concern previously within government as to whether there would be enough qualified people to fill the positions and this would be “the big test” of that.
Rytis Martikonis, director general of translation at the European Commission, said he "remembered very well" the day in the Council of Ministers when Irish was spoken for the first time. "It was a bit of history," he said. "To be frank, this is the second time I've heard it."
Mr Martikonis said the overall cost of providing services in 24 languages was currently €300 million a year. Asked what level of usage he anticipated for the Irish language service, he said that was the Irish Government’s responsibility. Applications can be made on jobs.eu-careers.eu.
