John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered marking international mother language day in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/Res/61/266 to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by the peoples of the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22906/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

International Mother Language day has been observed, throughout the world every year since February 2000 and will next be celebrated on the 21 February 2017.

The aim of International Mother Language Day is to promote multiculturalism and linguistic diversity and to encourage the use of language to preserve heritage and culture.

The Embassy network in Dublin, through its sponsorship of complementary schools, which have been established by our International communities here in Ireland, play an important role in supporting students in linguistic skills, while also serving their communities as a point of integration throughout the year.

Over the last number of years, several of these Embassies have taken initiatives to celebrate International Mother Language day and my Department has supported these initiatives by publicising events that have been organised. The theme of next year's International Mother Language day will be made known later this year and my Department will look to see how best it can mark the occasion by publicising events both inside and outside the classroom.