100 languages spoken in single council area

A SNAPSHOT of the ethnic diversity existing within communities has revealed more than 100 languages are spoken in just one local authority area.

A detailed survey of the minority ethnic population living in Fingal County Council, in north west Co Dublin, found there were people from 100 different countries residing within its boundaries.

A surge in population has seen the community, which encompasses urban centres including Blanchardstown, Balbriggan and Swords, rapidly expand to more than 240,000, including over 40,000 non-nationals.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/100-languages-spoken-in-single-council-area-1465343.html

Senator wants new migrants to sit exam in English

THE row over immigrants' language skills deepened last night after a Fine Gael senator called for a mandatory English test for all foreigners entering the country.

It comes just two days after controversial remarks by her party colleague, Fine Gael frontbencher Brian Hayes, calling for the "segregation" of immigrant children in secondary schools until they can speak English.

Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames last night said immigrants who wanted to work in the country should have to pass an English language test to improve the process of integration.

"We really need to let foreign nationals know that English is a requirement to live here. It is absolutely ridiculous that some people are here for years without an English competency," she told the Irish Independent.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/senator-wants-new-migrants-to-sit-exam-in-english-1460198.html