Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Literacy Levels

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Ceisteanna (99)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

99. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of and position regarding the ten-year adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy promised in the 2020 programme for Government; the details of the group tasked with development of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31377/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On International Literacy Day, 8th September this year, I announced the development of the Programme for Government commitment to develop a 10 Year Strategy for Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy. I have tasked SOLAS with the development of this new strategy.

Literacy, numeracy and digital literacy are fundamental to family life, civic life and our working lives. They are a core concern of Government as a whole as it strives to deliver services and communicate important messages. They are central to a person’s ability to feel well, feel connected, participate in society and fulfil their potential.

My Department, SOLAS, the ETBs, NALA and the community education sector have a really important role to play but our response will be far more powerful when we address these issues on a whole-of-Government basis. This new strategy will provide a framework to support individuals to improve their literacy, numeracy and digital literacy across a range of contexts, reflecting the much broader concepts of literacy that are now widely understood. The aim of this new strategy will be to ensure that everyone has the literacy, numeracy and digital skills to meet their needs and participate fully in society.

This new strategy will provide a framework to build on and streamline the substantial work that is already being done across a range of Departments and agencies, to increase awareness of services for the public and to capture the contribution that can be made right across Government to deliver better literacy, numeracy and digital skills in the adult population. I would also like the framework being provided through this new strategy to be a tool that can be used to embed the use of literacy friendly provision and plain language to ensure the most accessible public, civil and business services throughout the country.

To support a whole-of-government approach, I have established an interdepartmental stakeholder group on literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. This group is made up of Government Departments, Government agencies and stakeholder groups with keys roles in the areas of adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.

I chaired the first meeting of this group last Thursday. The meeting was really positive and was attended by representatives from the public service, civil service, business and NGOs. SOLAS will shortly be initiating a public consultation process on the key themes for the strategy and representatives are assisting in finalising a paper and ensuring the consultation gets the widest engagement possible. I intend to bring the completed strategy to Government in the Spring.

Question No. 100 answered orally.
Barr
Roinn