Patrick McCartan
Question:23 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to tackle adult illiteracy during 1990 which has been declared International Literacy Year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Illiteracy.
Dick Spring
Question:31 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education the way in which she intends to mark 1990 as International Literacy Year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 31 together.
My objectives, in relation to illiteracy, are twofold: first, to prevent illiteracy as school level and, secondly, to address the needs of adult illiteracy through specially tailored and funded programmes. My approach can be classified under two headings—preventative and curative.
As an example on the preventative side, I have arranged, during 1989-90, for the provision of an additional 95 teachers for primary schools in disadvantaged areas and 30 remedial teachers to supplement the existing cadre of some 900 remedial teachers in primary schools. Furthermore, I recently provided an extra £1 million for the schools' library service.
On the curative side I managed, in difficult financial circumstances, to increase the 1989 provision for the adult literacy and community education scheme by 25 per cent (from £400,000 to £500,000). In 1990 the allocation has been doubled to £1 million. I am also arranging to increase the overall provision for adult literacy/education organisations in 1990 by 36 per cent (from £179,000 to £244,000).
I should also add that, arising from International Literacy Year, the Government has decided to establish a Cabinet subcommittee, comprising myself in the Chair and the Ministers for Labour and Social Welfare, to co-ordinate proposals in this area to ensure that the various resources available for adult literacy and community education and training schemes are used in the most effective and coherent way.