106. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to improve the standard and the extent of foreign languages being taught in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40598/26]

I can advise the deputy that under Languages Connect, Ireland’s National Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026, significant progress has been made in improving the standard and extent of foreign languages being taught and learned in our schools including:

• Introduction of four new foreign languages to the Leaving Certificate curriculum: Lithuanian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish and Portuguese in 2020 with 2,428 leaving certificate examination sits in 2025.

• Introduction of foreign languages at primary level from September 2026 on a phased basis

• Engagement by over 1,300 primary schools in the “Say Yes to Languages” 10 week primary school programme in 2025

• The introduction of foreign language upskilling programmes for primary teachers

• Increasing engagement with the #ThinkLanguages event for TY students with over 21,000 students participating in 2025

• Doubling of the number of Foreign Language Assistants from 110 to 220 with enhanced supports and professional learning opportunities

• French and Spanish Language upskilling programmes for post primary teachers funded by the department.

Under the new Primary Curriculum Framework, Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) are being introduced on a phased basis from September 2026. Learning outcomes will focus on Language Awareness in 3rd and 4th class and Language Competence at 5th and 6th class. Schools will decide which language they use based on their resources and demographic.

The introduction of MFL is being supported by teacher professional learning provided by Oide and language upskilling provided by Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI). Upskilling courses are being offered across levels in a number of languages and are offered in a variety of formats including face-to-face, blended, and online. It is intended that over time newly qualified primary teachers will have the necessary skills and competences to teach MFL.

In preparation, the "Say Yes to Languages" ten-week module has been available to primary schools for the last five years, including teacher professional learning. 2,000 primary schools have participated since the beginning of the programme’

A wide range of supports and resources are available to all schools from Post Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI) who are fully funded by my department to support the teaching and learning of foreign languages and implementation of the Languages Connect Strategy.

Work is expected to begin in the coming months on the development of a follow-on Foreign Languages Strategy