Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I certainly recognise the differentiation between those two groups. It is a question of language acquisition as opposed to literacy as we mean it. A number of schemes are in place to help those coming to our shores who might not have English as a mother tongue. I refer to the point made by Deputy O'Sullivan. The national development plan committed €93.5 million to the service in the period 2000 to 2006. The expenditure over this period has exceeded the NDP commitment and will reach €123 million by the end of 2006. We are very mindful that further investment is needed in the area of literacy. It is a Government priority and the progress to date should be acknowledged.

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