EXHIBIT (j)(1)

           CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
                                ACCOUNTING FIRM

We  consent  to the  references  to  our  firm  under  the  captions  "Financial
Highlights"  and  "Independent   Registered  Public  Accounting  Firm"  in  each
Prospectus and "Independent  Registered  Public  Accounting Firm" and "Financial
Statements"  in  the  Statement  of  Additional  Information  in  Post-Effective
Amendment No. 68 to the Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No. 002-97596) of Van
Eck Funds and to the  incorporation  by reference of our reports dated  February
29, 2008 on Van Eck Emerging  Markets Fund, Van Eck Global Hard Assets Fund, and
Van Eck International  Investors Gold Fund (three of the Funds of Van Eck Funds)
included  in the  Annual  Reports  to  Shareholders  for the  fiscal  year ended
December 31, 2007.


                                        ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, NY
April 21, 2008