To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department has provided any advice on the efficiency, or otherwise, of consolidating or reducing the number of language courses in further education colleges including the impact on staff.

My Department has not provided any advice on the efficiency of consolidating or reducing the number of language courses within Further Education (FE) courses. College Governing Bodies (GB) are responsible for ensuring the provision of suitable and efficient FE. Therefore, decisions on the range and delivery of courses, including language courses, and any associated staffing implications are operational matters for individual colleges and their GBs, taken in the context of local educational and workforce needs.