Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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760. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the National University of Ireland's moves towards removing foreign languages as an entry requirement to courses; the options available to her to intervene if it continues with this policy change; and her plans to address this matter. [11205/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to part of a discussion paper from the Irish Universities Association task group on the selection and entry into higher education. This paper does not contain concrete proposals by the NUI but is intended to stimulate debate in the university sector on a whole range of issues around selection and entry into higher education.

The Irish Universities Association are part of the wider Transition Reform Steering Group chaired by the Secretary General of my Department which is in the process of developing proposals that aim to improve the transition of school leavers into higher education. Any recommendations are being carefully considered by key partners at both second and third level to ensure that there will be no adverse impacts on second or third level students and their education.

I am strongly committed to promoting the uptake of foreign languages at all levels of the education system. My Department is developing a strategy on foreign languages which is currently in consultation phase.