Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The modern languages in primary schools initiative had been a pilot scheme involving approximately 550 schools and had operated since 1998. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment's recommendation that for the present modern languages not be part of the primary school curriculum as an additional and separate subject was accepted by the Minister for Education and Skills. The primary curriculum is being reviewed by the NCCA in the context of the national literacy and numeracy strategy. The €2.5 million in savings from this measure will go towards meeting the cost of implementing the new national literacy and numeracy strategy. The Blue Star programme has to be seen in the context of the Government's commitment to building public understanding and knowledge about Ireland's EU membership. In support of this objective, my Department administers funds for the purposes o thef Communicating Europe initiative. This covers a number of activities, some ongoing and some new this year, including grants provided under the Communicating Europe initiative, the Blue Star programme, activities centred around Europe Week and a number of pre-Presidency events such as those planned by the Institute for International and European Affairs and NUI Maynooth.

The Blue Star programme for primary schools was put out to competitive tender on a pilot basis last year. The most economically advantageous tender was received from European Movement Ireland, EMI, for €39,785, excluding VAT. Accordingly, the contract to manage the programme was awarded to EMI. Payments totalling €27,849 were made last year by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, when the Communicating Europe initiative fell within its budget. Provision has been made in my Department's Estimate for this year for the balance of funding required for the pilot programme, €11,936.

I welcome the new programme for primary schools, the aim of which is to foste rthrough classroom projects and activities better understanding and knowledge of how the European Union affects our lives. The Blue Star programme will introduce participants - pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community - to the European Union, what it means and how it works. Participating schools will complete four modules on historical, geographical, cultural and creative and institutional issues relating to the European Union before the end of the current academic year. More than 90 primary schools made initial inquiries, of which 34 have signed up to undertake the programme. This shows a healthy level of interest on the part of schools in this EU education programme. All schools that successfully complete the programme will be awarded an EU flag and a Blue Star. This is a pilot programme which will be evaluated later this summer and, depending on its outcome, consideration will be given to its further operation in the next academic year.

Deputy Michéal Martin asked about public engagement. Funds available for Communicating Europe support the provision of grants under the Communicating Europe initiative. This annual programme provides funding for voluntary organisations, education bodies and civil society groups for projects aimed at deepening public awareness of the role that the European Union plays in our daily lives. Funds amounting to €46,000 were recently approved to 19 applicants. These covered Europe Day events, education and academic projects, cultural initiatives as well as national civil society and media projects.

My Department is also planning a number of cultural and other public activities to be held in Dublin centred on Europe Day this year. A programme of EU related events is also being planned in the Oireachtas and will be announced shortly.

As the House will be aware, the referendum on the stability treaty will take place on 31 May. To help the public to make an informed decision on that date, a comprehensive information campaign has been launched. This includes a 40-page treaty guide, in Irish and English, and a second information leaflet being delivered to every household in the country, along with a dedicated website - www.stabilitytreaty.ie - and media campaign. I look forward to an engaging and balanced debate over the coming weeks.

This is a particularly intense period of EU-related activity for Ireland. In addition to the referendum campaign, preparation for Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers is intensifying. Work is underway to develop a media and communications strategy relating to Ireland's role in the EU and to develop an initial communications plan for Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers.

As I said at the outset, the Government is committed to building public understanding and knowledge about Ireland's EU membership. The various initiatives, which I have outlined, are central to these endeavours.

Finally, Deputy Martin also asked about the EU matters website. As he is aware, this was developed by the then Department of Foreign Affairs. Following the transfer of the co-ordination of European Union affairs from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to my Department, we are considering how the Government's approach to EU issues can best be communicated to the public. The EU matters website has been taken down and links to it removed pending the outcome of this review.

Information on EU business is, of course, contained on my Department's website at www.taoiseach.gov.ie, on the Government's news service www.merrionstreet.ie and on the websites of all Departments.

See this speech in context