Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the importance of supporting initiatives that encourage connectivity and engagement with European Union partners, particularly for school students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15427/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The development and implementation of initiatives that encourage connectivity and engagement with the European Union, particularly for school students, is clearly of significant value. Such initiatives provide students with unique opportunities for personal and academic development while creating greater awareness and understanding of the EU and Ireland's role in it. These initiative also reinforce Ireland’s role as an active and engaged Member State. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade promotes several initiatives to engage young people with the EU.

At primary school level, the Blue Star programme informs students about Ireland’s engagement with Europe, through classroom projects and activities. Schools are encouraged to organise an event to celebrate Europe Day on or around 9 May.? The programme is available through Irish, as Clár na Réalta Goirme. Some 351 schools, with over 23,000 pupils are participating in this year’s programme.

The Communicating Europe Initiative provides financial support, including to schools, to raise awareness of the EU’s role and its impact on everyday life. The initiative encourages schools to integrate EU-related themes into their curricula, engage in project-based learning, and connect with the EU institutions. This funding plays a crucial role in ensuring that students gain a deeper understanding of the EU and its values, helping to foster an informed and engaged generation of future EU citizens.

The Careers for EU Strategy includes awareness-raising at second level; ensuring that students are informed about the opportunities available to them within the EU, both in terms of education and employment. Highlighting the benefits of EU engagement and early awareness of EU career pathways, empowers young people to make more informed decisions about their futures and to see themselves as active participants in the EU.

These initiatives not only enhance educational outcomes, but also play a crucial role in helping to build a future generation of well informed and engaged European citizens.