Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1426: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to provide access to English language classes for adult immigrants. [47984/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides for English language training for adult immigrants (English for Speakers of Other Languages, ESOL) under its adult literacy budget. Funds are allocated to VECs who are the main statutory providers of ESOL tuition. Currently, there are approximately 100 VEC colleges, 10 Prison Education providers, 100 Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) colleges, 100 Youthreach centres and some community groups providing ESOL classes. The number of ESOL participants has increased from almost 6,000 in 2003 to over 13,000 in 2008.

An independent review was commissioned to assist in the development of a national English language training policy and framework for legally-resident adult immigrants based on extensive stakeholder consultation. The report in this regard is under consideration by the Minister for Integration.