AQW 44444/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/04/2026
Answered On Date: 13/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any actions they are taking to support the free provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages, in line with the Refugee Integration Strategy.

Answer:

We recognise that the ability to speak the English language is a key enabler for integration into society.

Our Department has provided funding to Councils to support the integration of migrants in their areas. One of the agreed deliverables is the local provision of, or signposting to, community-based conversational ESOL classes.

The draft Framework for Race Relations, which is currently subject to a public consultation, also includes access to ESOL for all minority ethnic communities as one of the proposed primary interventions.

Through continued delivery of the Refugee Integration Strategy and any final Framework for Race Relations, we will continue to build on initial work progressed to enhance ESOL provision.