Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

This is the most appalling result for a country that experienced the Celtic tiger era. Is it not the case that for the years 2000 to 2009, Ireland has the worst outcome regarding literacy of the OECD countries that participated in the study? Is it also not the case that one in six of our students has significant reading problems, particularly males? A total of 23% of males have a literacy level below functional literacy, which means they cannot communicate in society. It is a disgraceful situation over which the Minister and the Government have presided for a number of years. What will she do about this?

There has to be a crusade regarding literacy in our schools. There needs to be a radical shake up in the political system and in the administrative system, particularly within the Department, and teachers need to be empowered to achieve the best results for all our children. The Minister is failing those who are most vulnerable. If 23% of all males cannot read properly, how in the name of God can they get jobs and compete with those in China and other countries in the Far East that achieved the top PISA scores? We are falling behind in this most critical area. What will the Minister do about this? Does she not think these results are a disgrace?

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