Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Adult Literacy.

Liam Fitzgerald

Question:

222 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education if she will give statistics on the extent of adult illiteracy in Ireland; the resources, if any, being made available by her Department to alleviate this problem in view of the fact that it causes great embarrassment and difficulty for many adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7925/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

My Department is awaiting completion of a report on the results of a National Adult Literacy Survey that was commissioned some years ago. The report will provide comprehensive information on levels of literacy within a range of categories and will place these in a wider comparative context.

When the report has been received, I will arrange for it to be published.

My Department funds the adult literacy and community education scheme, which was established to provide literacy and community education to disadvantaged adults, including literacy groups. The allocation to the scheme, and the complementary special initiatives for disadvantaged adults scheme, by my Department in 1997 is £3.325 million. This service is provided mainly through the vocational education committees.

An annual grant-in-aid is also provided by my Department to the National Adult Literacy Agency in support of its activities.

I appreciate that illiteracy is a source of great embarrassment and difficulty for adults who are affected by it. My commitment to develop and enhance the programmes in place to address adult literacy problems is reflected both in the policy measures proposed in the White Paper "Charting our Education Future" and the substantial additional funding provided in recent years to support these services.