Mr. Pádraig Mac Fhlannchadha:

In response to Senator Moloney's point about the danger of traditional writing and spelling losing out to new technologies, the national literacy and numeracy strategy prioritised literacy in all its forms including those related to printed and digital texts. It assumes that the different forms of literacy are complementary and that the development of skills in one should complement their development in the other. While there are skills common to both there are different skills too. That is why they are specified, to ensure that literacy in all its forms is developed in a coherent manner and that all students get the opportunity to develop their literacy skills to the highest level possible.

Our inspection process focuses on the use of ICT and other media in planning and how they support teaching and learning. We would not look specifically at digital literacy but at the teaching of literacy which might include making a comment on digital literacy if a school is focusing on that. Digital literacy has been highlighted in the literacy and numeracy strategy and there is some work to be done in our curriculum frameworks to ensure that it is duly acknowledged. The language curriculum at primary level is being revised. The English syllabus at junior cycle level is being revised to take greater account of digital literacy and our evaluation processes will evolve in accordance with that.