Education and Training Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2019

Wednesday, 6 March 2019

Questions (6)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

6. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the number of hours made available for English courses will be considered by the education and training board in view of the fact only two hours per week are being provided; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits an increase in hours will have in order to help new communities, including refugees and asylum seekers, to integrate locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10859/19]

Oral answers (6 contributions)

Deputy Thomas Pringle

This question relates to English language classes for the new Irish and others who come to live here. Their ability to speak the language greatly affects their ability to integrate into Irish society. It is really important to be able to do so. We need to look to expanding the service and the number of hours available.

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy John Halligan)

I thank Deputy Pringle for his important question. My Department and SOLAS fund English for speakers of other languages training for migrants through the 16 education and training boards, ETBs.

Adult programme refugees have access to an initial eight-week language training and orientation programme in a number of ETBs under the resettlement strand of the Irish refugee protection programme. Following resettlement in the community, a full language and training programme is put in place by the ETBs for up to 20 hours per week, for a period of one year.

Outside the arrangements for programme refugees, contact hours for English language learners are determined at local level by ETBs. These decisions are based on local demand and learner skill requirements and ETBs discuss these demands and service requirements with SOLAS as part of the annual funding process.

An analysis of the data on reported beneficiaries and expenditure for English for speakers of other languages and refugee resettlement, up to and including October 2018, indicates that 14,749 beneficiaries availed of English for speakers of other languages training, while 1,341 beneficiaries availed of the refugee resettlement programme.

Combined expenditure for English for speakers of other languages training and refugee resettlement was reported as €5.4 million, with a combined beneficiary total of 16,090.

In March 2018, SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland published a report entitled "English language provision and language assessment for low-skilled and unemployed migrants. Recommendations for good practice at NFQ levels 1-3 in ETBs". The report acknowledges that progress can be slow with some learners due to less intensive provision and insufficient opportunity for them to use their English outside the classroom. The report recommends that provision be for a minimum of 200 hours per year.

The report’s recommendations, including the movement towards more intensive provision, are being progressed by SOLAS and the ETBs.

Deputy Thomas Pringle

I am sure the Minister of State will agree that the ability to speak the language is a factor which significantly affects a person's ability to integrate into Irish society. He has said there is a course of up to 20 hours a week for one year. From talking to members of the affected community, I know that they are unaware that this time is available to them. Most have a two or three hour session once a week which is not adequate for them to learn English at a level that will enable them to live and work in Irish society. I would like the Minister of State to elaborate on the 20 hours of provision. Is it at the discretion of the different ETBs whether it is available? Everything we spend to improve levels of English among refugees and asylum seekers will help to improve their integration and pay dividends to the State in the long run. The cost will not be a factor.

Deputy John Halligan

I can state categorically that refugee resettlement programme participants are entitled to 20 hours of provision weekly in the first year of resettlement. ETBs can subsequently offer more than 20 hours per week, but we have found that 20 hours a week is too much for many refugees as they are settling into their homes, have children who are in school and their environment and community are all new to them. Therefore, it is not always the case that they can attend for up to 20 hours, but there is that provision under the refugee resettlement programme. Some ETBs are allowed to use what is called a banking system under which those who are capable of attending for 20 hours a week are offered those hours, but for those whose language skills are particularly weak or where there are problems with literacy, a slower approach may be taken. It is at the discretion of ETBs to offer more hours and having spoken to SOLAS and some of the ETBs, I know that they do this.

Deputy Thomas Pringle

If the refugee or asylum seeker believes he or she can do more hours, is it open to him or her to approach the ETB to secure them? The ETB may offer them, but there is a question about whether the person has the ability to seek them. The Minister of State has said some refugees or asylum seekers may have difficulties in managing the extra time, depending on their level of education or standard of English. Is it open to refugees and asylum seekers to ask for more? It is vitally important that they can.

Deputy John Halligan

Additional one-to-one tuition is offered and available for learners with very weak language skills and literacy difficulties in their own language who may find it beneficial. I do not have the facts and figures for the take-up, but I can obtain them for the Deputy. The onus is on the ETBs which can offer 20 hours a week, although as I have explained, we find that many refugees and asylum seekers are unable to avail of them. The ETBs may offer more than 20 hours and most offer one-on-one tuition. I will revert to the Deputy with the facts and figures.