Jack Wall
Ceist:157 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on adult illiteracy; the plans if any he has to improve the situation in relation to funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Literacy Levels.
High levels of literacy and numeracy are a pre-requisite for participation in our society today, and the Government is committed to increasing investment in this area on a phased basis. In that context, provision for adult literacy has increased from a base of £0.850 million in 1997 when this Government took office, to £5.665 million in 1999.
The Government's Green Paper, Adult Education in an Era of Lifelong Learning, which was published late last year recommended that investment in this area should increase to at least £10 million per annum on a phased basis, and this will be further progressed in the context of the national development plan.
A range of initiatives have been progressed as part of the expansion of the service to date in co-operation with the vocational education committees, the National Adult Literacy Agency, and training and employment interests. These include establishment of an adult literacy development fund to support awareness, outreach, referral networks and flexible provision; a doubling of the numbers availing of the service to 10,000; staff development initiatives; piloting of literacy over the radio; development of a quality framework for the service; and initial work in relation to TV literacy and development of an adult guidance service.
An interdepartmental committee on literacy for the unemployed has also been convened by my Department, which is working with the national adult literacy agency, FÁS, the local employment service, the vocational education committees and the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social Community and Family Affairs on the development of an integrated strategy in this area. In that context, a number of joint literacy projects with the FÁS-funded community employment scheme are under way and are now being expanded to all FÁS regions.