Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The reason Deputy Crowe's questions came to me is they included a reference to the Blue Star programme. That programme is not meant to be a replacement for the pilot initiative for language learning. It is run by the Department of the Taoiseach, with very small funding I should say, with the aim of increasing awareness in schools of diversity and of what the European Union is, what it means, how it works and so on. It is not meant to be a pilot language scheme although, clearly, when we speak of different countries, there are connections with the language there. Deputy Crowe might wish to put down a specific question to the Minister for Education and Skills or to raise this as a topical issue.

I am interested in this area because it is an opportunity for real investment and real jobs. Speaking to the chief executive of PayPal, an extraordinary company, there are clearly opportunities for new languages and some old European languages. In such an industry, which is going to Dundalk, fluency in the language is a major issue, not just capacity to communicate but fluency to deal with issues that arise with products. From my experience, for those who learn a language, the extra edge of fluency is always obtained by undertaking a programme in the country in question. That is often the key to employment in companies like PayPal. People might be able to communicate and understand each other but fluency makes the difference between being able to market and sell and drive forward. That does not get away from the basic point that Irish children are as capable of learning four or five languages as any other children and they have proven that time and again - the children of diplomats or those who have occasion to move because their families are involved in business.

I will speak to the Minister for Education and Skills as we move along with this and review the position. If Deputies put down a question about the reasons why the National Council for Curriculum Assessment made its recommendation, the Minister will give a detailed response.

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