Edward Nealon
Ceist:48 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education the grants, if any, which are available for second level students to travel to other countries to advance their studies of a foreign language.
Written Answers. - Second Level Students.
There are at present no grants available for second level students to travel to other countries to advance their studies in foreign languages. However, the European Education Minister in May 1989 adopted the Lingua programme. This programme is designed to promote foreign language competence in the European Community. Under the programme, financial assistance will be available from 1 January 1991 to support the development of educational exchanges for young people in post compulsory education.
The year 1990 is largely a preparatory year and the overall budget for the five year period 1990-1994 is £154 million.