Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding options available for community based migrant groups who wish to start language lessons for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1819/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under the Intercultural Education Strategy (2010-2015) which covers the continuum of education from pre-school through to further and higher education, current funding is being prioritised by my Department within schools for school based language provision, including English language support and support for mother tongue.

As the Deputy may be aware the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration in the Department of Justice and Equality has responsibility for leading and coordinating work relating to the integration of legally resident immigrants.

The Office is also responsible for the European Refugee Fund and the European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals both of which financially assist integration of members of their target group. From 2014, these Funds will be replaced by the Asylum and Migration Fund. Arrangements for this Fund will involve a policy or programming dialogue with the European Commission after which a national multi-annual programme will be drawn up for the period 2014-2020.

National funding for integration of immigrants is also provided by OPMI subject to the reduced resources which are available for all categories of public expenditure at present.