A new survey suggests a third of parents think computer coding is a more important skill to learn than Irish.

The research also found that three quarters of parents would like their children to learn coding, if classes were available in their area.

Telecoms company UPC commissioned Amararch Research to carry out a survey of adults attitudes to computer coding as part of Europe Code Week.

The results indicate that programming is now considered by people in Ireland to be just as important as learning mainstream subjects taught in school.

Of the 1,000 adults questioned, two-thirds said learning coding is equally important as maths, science and languages.

One-third believe it is more valuable than Irish, with one-fifth believing it is a more important skill than maths.

Although coding is not taught in most Irish schools, children can learn it at Coderdojo clubs run by volunteers.

Three quarters of people said they would avail of such classes if they were available in their area.

The findings are likely to bolster the arguments of those who say coding should be offered as part of the primary school curriculum, as it has been in Britain since the start of this school year.