Alan Dillon
Ceist:210. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if DEIS funding through ETBs is available for foreign language courses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8888/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 February 2024
Ceisteanna (210)
Freagraí scríofa
Languages Connect, Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026, aims to increase and diversify the teaching and learning of foreign languages. Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) are fully funded by my Department and charged with implementing a wide range of actions under Languages Connect.
PPLI provides free Saturday morning classes in a range of foreign languages to Leaving Certificate students whose school does not have the student numbers to warrant timetabled classes.
PPLI provides funding for a range of initiatives including language summer camps, school exchanges, foreign language library books and language upskilling for teachers.
There is not a designated funding channel within ETB schools specifically earmarked for foreign language instruction.
DEIS is the main policy initiative of my Department to tackle educational disadvantage at school level.
My Department spends over €180m annually in supporting schools in the DEIS programme, of which, over €20m is allocated to schools by way of a DEIS grant. This funding is paid to the local ETB for distribution to DEIS schools under its remit. The DEIS grant should be utilised to attain the targets set in the school's three year improvement plan across the DEIS themes. It is a matter for the Board of Management of each school to allocate DEIS grant funding so that it targets those students deemed most in need. This may include allocating a proportion of the DEIS grant funding towards the cost of foreign language courses.
Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 209.