Minister for European Affairs encourages continued language learning to maximise opportunities

The Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy T.D., has congratulated the nearly 58,000 students who received their Leaving Certificate exam results this week. 
As students now consider their options ahead of the CAO first round offer deadline on 24 August, the Minister has encouraged those contemplating further education or training to continue with their learning of Irish and European languages which they started in school. 
“Language learning opens doors, not only to work, but to travel, to culture and to new experiences. There are huge opportunities in Ireland and in Europe for students who have languages.”
“This is particularly the case for students who wish to maximise their employment prospects, with the recent Higher Education Authority’s National Employer Survey indicating that approximately a quarter of all employers had a specific requirement for foreign language proficiency skills in their organisation.”
In addition, Minister Murphy highlighted the opportunities for students in the European Institutions.
“In the EU Institutions we have a strong need for Irish citizens that have languages. Organisations like the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission offer exciting and diverse careers and regularly recruit young officials that have proficiency in two languages.” 
“Irish of course, as one of the official languages of the EU, is valuable in this respect and I was delighted to see a 7.3% increase in the number of students sitting Higher Level Irish this year”. 
“Irish people have traditionally excelled in these organisations so we are encouraging recent Leaving Certificate students to keep up their learning of Irish, to keep up their learning of European languages as it is an investment in the opportunities of the future. 
“Through the EUJobs campaign, which is spearheaded by the Department of the Taoiseach, we are increasing awareness of these opportunities and encouraging our young people to continue their language learning though our webpage (eujobs.ie), e-newsletter, social media and events being run throughout college campuses and career fairs in Ireland.”
“Our Third Level Institutions the length and breadth of the country have more language courses on offer than ever before and we are seeing an increase in the number of students availing of these courses.”
“Many students have already tackled the hard part of learning any language which is simply starting. I would encourage them now to continue whether going into apprenticeships, Third Level Institutions or any other avenue they might take.” - See more at: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/News/Government_Press_Releases/Minister_for_European_Affairs_encourages_continued_language_learning_to_maximise_opportunities.html#sthash.GLv4vADl.dpuf