Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 19 Apr 1988

Vol. 379 No. 6

Written Answers. - Modern Continental Languages.

274. Mrs. Hussey asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, she is taking to encourage the study of modern continental languages by students taking the full range of courses in the regional technical colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology; and the changes, if any, which have occurred in those colleges in recent years in this respect.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Responsibility for the content and development of courses in third level VEC colleges rests primarily with the college authorities and the relevant validating bodies. I am aware, however, that modern continental languages represent an important element of many of the courses provided in the colleges in question.

A report of a Working Party on Languages in Business Studies has been presented by the NCEA to my Department and its recommendations are under active consideration. The report noted, inter alia, that French is taught in all the regional technical colleges and German in eight of the nine colleges. Language laboratories are provided in all the colleges.

275.

Mrs. Hussey

asked the Minister for Education if it is the policy of the Higher Education Authority to encourage the study of modern continental languages at third level colleges in faculties other than arts; if so, the languages which are studied, and the level to which they are studied in each of the colleges.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The Higher Education Authority has always looked favourably on developments of this nature and encourages involvement in European programmes. In recent years many such course developments were approved in universities and other colleges designated by the authority. It was not possible in the time available for reply to obtain all such details of developments and I will write to the Deputy further in the matter as soon as possible.