Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1086: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of people employed in the English language school industry. [32977/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The most recent statistics for direct employment in the English language sector come from a survey carried out from late 2008 to early 2009 on behalf of Fáilte Ireland, the body responsible for promotion and development of the sector.

The survey's results estimated that there are approximately 1,200 people who are directly employed on a full-time, all year round basis, and that there are an additional 2,800 people employed on a seasonal basis.

There is also a wider economic benefit from the expenditure of English language students in Ireland, including for families who host international students in their homes. The same survey identified an average weekly expenditure of around €440 per student, leading to an estimated direct impact of €270 million from English language students on the Irish economy.