Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
805. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of English language students in the State in each of the years since 2016; the number of English as a foreign language students in further education and training since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41585/21]
View answerIn relation to English language education (ELE) in Ireland, it should be noted that this is a broad and diverse sector with the vast majority of activity undertaken by private sector providers. This sector offers a range of different programmes and offerings to both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA learners who travel to the State to study English. My Department does not collect the data requested in respect of this sector.
As Irish society becomes increasingly diverse, developing English language skills is becoming increasingly vital in enabling non-English speaking migrants and their families to fully participate in all spheres of Irish life. While many migrants coming to Ireland are well educated and skilled, there is also a significant number of migrants with lower standards of education who require English Language tuition.
In the further education and training (FET) sector, all 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) offer free English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, as part of their Adult Literacy provision, to meet the day-to-day social, cultural and work-related language needs of new community members. Priority is given to unemployed migrants, international protection applicants and refugees with limited or no English language skills.
ESOL Literacy classes are also provided to assist people with no formal education in their home country or who don’t have basic literacy skills. These classes can be provided on either 1:1 or small group basis. All applicants are required to complete an initial assessment before starting class to ensure that all learners are provided with classes at the correct level.
Figures for 2020 indicated that planned beneficiaries for ESOL provision were 20,317. While figures did decline in 2020, no doubt as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, they remained relatively high at 16,274. Please see attached table which includes figures that are available in relation to ESOL reported numbers from 2013 to 2020.
ESOL reported numbers by year
|
Year |
ESOL reported numbers |
|
2013 |
11055 |
|
2014 |
11055 |
|
2015 |
11708 |
|
2016 |
13096 |
|
2017 |
12755 |
|
2018 |
15397 |
|
2019 |
19408 |
|
2020 |
16274 |
Source: 2013 - 2017: Annual Statistical Returns Survey. Data captured at participant level. 2018 - 2020: PLSS Reported Data Outturn. Data captured at beneficiary level
