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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 1991

Vol. 413 No. 9

Written Answers. - Teaching of Esperanto.

Roger T. Garland

Ceist:

25 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the fact that (1) in every other EC country at least some schools teach Esperanto, while it is extensively taught in former Iron Curtain countries including Romania and Albania where it is now taught and (2) that in many countries it is taught as a university subject, while it specifically helps qualify for university entry in Chile and Brazil; if he will outline the number of schools here where Esperanto is taught; if he will consider making Esperanto a curricula subject; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

There is no compelling reason at present for putting Esperanto on our schools curricula. There is little or no demand for it, and it would be of very limited value to our pupils. I have no information on the number of institutions providing courses in Esperanto in Ireland.

My Department's policy with regard to foreign languages is focused at present on encouraging increased provision for and uptake of the four main continental languages of French, German, Spanish and Italian.

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