Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
27 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the findings of the Education Research Centre that 30% of primary school children in poorer areas suffer severe literacy difficulties; if she will allocate resources towards combating this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30524/04]
View answerThe Educational Research Centre's report entitled, Reading Literacy in Disadvantaged Primary Schools, which I launched earlier this month, provides the first ever comprehensive analysis of the range of literacy achievement found in disadvantaged primary schools. Over 6,500 pupils in first, third and sixth classes participated in this large scale research which represents a major contribution to our knowledge base about literacy levels among disadvantaged pupils.
The findings and recommendations of the ERC report are being considered in the context of a comprehensive review of all of my Department's educational disadvantage programmes. This review, which is being finalised, has examined all aspects of existing provision, including literacy interventions.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in response to one of the key findings of the ERC report, namely, the strong correlation between reading levels and the number and use of books in the home, I have decided to allocate €500,000 for the purchase of books for pupils in key disadvantaged areas before Christmas.
It is my intention that these books will be used in conjunction with parents to promote a culture of reading in the home.
In addition, my Department will continue to operate the following measures to prevent and ameliorate literacy difficulties at primary level: the provision of additional financial and teaching resources to disadvantaged schools to implement reduced class sizes, as well as financial support for interventions specifically designed to improve literacy levels among those from disadvantaged backgrounds; learning-support teaching is provided in all primary schools by over 1,500 teachers who give intensive support to children with literacy difficulties. An additional 350 teachers at primary level will be in place during the 2004-05 school year to cater for pupils with special educational and learning support needs; continuing assistance is being given to disadvantaged primary schools in implementing my Department's learning support guidelines, including adoption of a whole-school approach to supporting children with literacy difficulties and development and implementation of a literacy plan by each school; the reading recovery programme provides intensive, individual help for children who have not responded to the standard instructional programme in reading and writing after one year in school. There are currently 85 primary schools — 51 in the Monaghan area and 34 in Dublin — participating in the programme. My Department has recently recruited three teachers to train as reading recovery tutors, increasing the total number of tutors to five. Following completion of training, these new tutors will train teachers and facilitate the extension of the reading recovery programme, for the first time, to disadvantaged schools in Cork and Limerick; and the First Steps programme offers primary teachers an accurate means of assessing and monitoring children's competencies and progress in reading, writing, spelling and oral language. Training of teachers in selected disadvantaged schools in First Steps is ongoing.
Early interventions, such as those I have outlined above, are crucial in addressing literacy problems among children and have a lasting impact on tackling educational disadvantage and social exclusion.
