Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 2

Written Answers. - Adult Literacy.

John V. Farrelly

Ceist:

158 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on an allocation of only £70,000 for 1998 for the National Adult Literacy Agency; if he will review this situation with a view to increasing this amount; if he will inform Deputy Farrelly of the current number of Irish adults who have very low literacy levels; the number of people providing classes in this regard for the vocational education committees throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21800/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The total allocation by my Department to the National Adult Literacy Agency in 1997 amounted to £196,000. The provision for adult literacy in 1998 has been increased by £2 million over the 1997 Estimates but the financial allocations to adult education agencies have not yet been finalised for 1998.

The recent OECD report on adult literacy in Ireland gives cause for concern. The report revealed that an estimated 500,000 Irish adults have low levels of literacy. My Department will be considering the issues raised in this report.

There are approximately 110 adult literacy schemes operated by the vocational education committees throughout the country.