Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
385. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in the interests of promoting the Irish language and boosting employment opportunities, she will consider introducing a new Irish-language training course for people in receipt of social welfare payments, as no such course currently exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41445/23]
View answerThe responsibility for provision of training is Solas which falls under the aegis of my colleague, Deputy Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The role of my Department’s Public Employment Service is to encourage, support and assist jobseekers to secure and sustain employment. In that regard, the Employment Services team support jobseekers to equip themselves with the education, qualifications and skills necessary to compete for jobs, including the promotion of suitable further education and training opportunities delivered by Solas, Education and Training Boards, etc.
My Department takes it's responsibilities under the Official Languages Acts seriously. The Scheme for promoting the Irish language is published here:
gov.ie - Language Scheme 2023 – 2026 (www.gov.ie)
