Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports provided, financial or otherwise, by his Department to encourage the take up of Irish language courses by adults in the context of lifelong learning. [2316/14]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Irish Language courses are provided locally by the Education and Training Boards (ETB) as part of the Adult Literacy and Community Education Scheme (ALCES) and the Back to Education Initiative (BTEI). ETBs decide on the nature, extent and location of courses provided. These courses are provided free of charge to learners in most cases.

Breacadh is an adult education resource responsible for assisting ETBs in the provision of adult learning opportunities, through Irish in the Gaeltacht regions. Breacadh assists the ETBs by producing books and other adult learning materials through Irish, and by providing support with tutor training and the marketing of the ETBs' Irish language service.

The Funding for these programmes, previously provided directly by the Department to the ETBs, will in future will be administered by SOLAS.