Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

This matter was brought to my attention in my constituency over the weekend and I intended to raise yesterday but unfortunately it was not selected for discussion. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise it today.

I recognise that all Departments face severe economic constraints and understand the need to make savings in every Department. While it is easy to call for cuts to be reversed without setting out alternative sources of revenue, I strongly believe the decision to scrap the modern languages in primary schools initiative should be reviewed. This excellent initiative supports 500 schools nationwide and has a core team of six people co-ordinating it. It provides training and teaching in modern European languages to young children in primary schools and costs little in the overall scheme of things. While a figure of €2.5 million was cited in budget documentation, I understand the overall cost of the initiative is closer to €2 million.

I am concerned that the decision to abolish the scheme has been taken at a time when we need to be more outward looking by teaching our children European languages and doing our best to prepare them for the global market. The modern languages in primary school initiative is a step in the right direction and I hope the decision will be reviewed. While I understand the initial decision was to end the scheme in January, I have been led to believe it will be extended until June. I ask the Minister of State to ensure the decision is reviewed in the period until June with a view to finding some means of continuing to finance this important initiative.

The modern languages in primary schools initiative provides excellent value for money. The savings achieved from its abolition would be minuscule, particularly given the social and educational dividend it pays. Modern European languages are more important than ever. Moreover, it is easier for children at primary school level to learn foreign languages than older children. Teaching under the initiative takes place in a fun and enjoyable environment and eliminates the fear among children of learning European languages. I recall that one of the most daunting aspects of beginning secondary school was having to learn a foreign language. Children who have been involved in the initiative are very positive about European languages because the fear factor has been removed. They embrace language learning when they reach second level because they already have an excellent grounding in it. Losing the programme would, therefore, be a great shame. Over the weekend, I spoke to numerous teachers who are involved in the modern languages in primary schools initiative and to principals in the primary schools where it is being taught. They all agree that the initiative should definitely not be cut.

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