A PROJECT that involves older people teaching English to immigrants is to be replicated around the State.
Businessman Denis O’Brien’s charitable foundation will fund the national roll-out of the “Fáilte Isteach” project for a three-year period.
It was established by the Third Age Foundation in Summerhill, Co Meath, in 2006, when active retirement group members noticed that some immigrants were having problems in supermarkets and elsewhere because they did not speak English.
More than 120 immigrants have participated in the project so far. They attend weekly conversation classes which are practical, focusing on areas such as going to the doctor, filling in forms, applying for jobs or shopping.
The foundation also provides a homework club for children, so that parents can attend classes.
Mary Nally, chairwoman of the foundation said the classes had attracted people from countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Argentina, Moldova and China.
She said it was supported by local employers, with one supermarket organising its roster to facilitate staff who wish to attend the evening classes.
When President Mary McAleese officially launched the project last year, she expressed the hope that it would be taken up by other active retirement groups.
Ms Nally said there had been “huge interest” in this from all over the country. Active retirement groups in Offaly, Dublin and Louth are already planning to start their own classes.
“Look at the size of Summerhill [a village] and the amount of new migrants we have,” she said. “It’s the same all over the country. This could be done anywhere.”
While the Meath project is run by an active retirement group, Ms Nally said there was nothing to stop other groups from taking on the scheme.
The foundation has produced a teaching manual to help groups interested in beginning their own classes and a training and development officer has also been hired.
Mr O’Brien and the Dublin Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne will announce the national roll-out of the programme in Dublin later this month.
