Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. I am glad that I was wrong to state the scheme would be brought to an end immediately. It is welcome that it will continue until June 2012. However, I will continue to contend that the teaching of modern languages is important and that the earlier children are exposed to them, the better their chances will be of developing a love for them. Perhaps the Minister might review the decision. While I take on board the points and recommendations made to him and accept that he has a difficult job to do, perhaps the Minister of State might stress to him the importance of exposing children to modern languages at a young age. The Minister of State might also suggest to him that the teachers who find themselves out of a job at the end of this academic year should be redeployed in a support structure for second level students to broaden the church of languages available to them.