Jim Higgins
Ceist:197 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the impact the SOCRATES Programme is having on Irish education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Impact of SOCRATES Programme.
The Council of Education Ministers at a meeting on 21 June 1994 in Luxembourg considered a proposal for the Commission of the European Communities establishing the Community Action Programme SOCRATES. The SOCRATES proposal, which is expected to be formally adopted later in 1994, is an effective consolidation, deepening and extension of existing community programmes such as ERASMUS and LINGUA.
This proposal involves, principally, a number of actions in the area of school and higher education and in the promotion of language learning. In addition it provides for exchanges of in formation and experiences through the EURYDICE Unit and ARION Study Visits.
It is not possible, at this stage, to quantify the level of resources which will become available to the Irish Education Sector for actions under SOCRATES. The Community actions in the area of education and training are catalytic. I believe that the proposals in SOCRATES when implemented will serve to enhance this effect and serve to inform and develop national systems in Ireland and the other Member States.