Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2004
250 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties encountered by workers from the new EU countries in gaining access to affordable English language classes; if she will address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33636/04]
View answerMy attention has not been drawn to any particular difficulties in regard to this matter. English language tuition is provided largely in the private sector by a significant number of English language schools. My Department provides funding towards the running costs of the Advisory Council for English Language Schools, which provides for voluntary regulation of the sector by controlling standards and quality assurance through an inspection and recognition scheme. Schools which comply with the quality criteria are recognised by my Department.
In addition, the vocational education committees may provide English language training at modest cost as part of their self funded adult education programmes. To the extent that the adult literacy budget allocated to VECs allows, asylum seekers and refugees may also access literacy and language tuition, which is generally free. Almost 6,000 people are availing of this facility.
My Department also provides grants to the International Education Board Ireland to support and develop Ireland as an educational venue for international students. The teaching of English as a foreign language is a significant industry in Ireland which attracts some 200,000 participants each year and generates some €300 million in foreign earnings. I recently launched the Internationalisation of Irish Education report. The recommendations in the report are designed to ensure that Ireland is well placed to promote quality provision in Ireland and to enhance and market the attractiveness of the sector as a venue for English language training and for international students in further and higher education in the years ahead.
