Bord Na Gaeilge, the semi-state organisation set up to promote the use of Irish as a "vernacular of everyday communication", has published its annual report for 1997 but without its accounts.
A spokesperson for the board said there had been a "delay" in having the accounts signed. They would be published by the end of September.
The accounts for 1996, which are included in the 1997 report, show that the board had an income of £2,629,742 of which £2,500,000 came from the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Of that total grant, £1,180,757 was spent on administration. This included £685,935 on salaries. The board employs up to 30 people full-time. "Other administrative costs" amounted to £476,024 while "board fees" were £18,798.
The administrative costs for 1996 represent a rise of more than £160,000 on 1995. The board's income for that year was £2,362,551 of which £1,018,594 was spent on administration.
The amount distributed in grants for 1996 was £1,372,067 while it was £1,316,853 in 1995.
Grants were distributed in four main areas during 1996: communications, education, community and State.
The areas to receive the greatest support in communications were a weekly newspaper Foinse (£144,500); publicity and advertising campaigns (£132,116); and Saol, a free monthly newspaper of which 15,000 are distributed, received £52,780.
Monthly magazines, sold in shops and by subscription, received £43,425.
During 1996 and 1997 the board sponsored the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship; Olympic swimmer, Michelle de Bruin, and greyhound racing.