Vol. 484 No. 4
122 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will carry out a nation-wide survey of reading skills to identify and help to eliminate illiteracy at primary level; if he will establish a working group of the partners in education to monitor the survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22441/97]
A national survey of the reading attainment of pupils in fifth class in primary schools was carried out in 1993. The Education Research Centre, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, conducted the survey in co-operation with the Inspectorate in my Department. I have made arrangements to carrry out such a survey again in 1998. It is normal practice in conducting national surveys to establish an advisory group of the partners to advise on the running of the survey and this will also be done in the case of the 1998 survey.
