Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand there were schemes under which teachers received funding or bursaries to take a master's degree in education, for example. I know that the Minister, Deputy Bruton, is examining whether we can restore any of those measures.

To respond to Deputy Howlin's comments, what we fundamentally need to do is provide more opportunities to use the language in a more normal environment. The Deputy is correct in saying children learn it and that students leave school after ten to 13 years without being fluent. Many of us fall into that category. It comes down to having more every-day opportunities to use the language, practise it and be exposed to it. That is why it is really important that Government bodies provide services in the language.

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