The programme for Government commits us to developing and implementing a national literacy and numeracy strategy which will provide a comprehensive set of measures to improve learning outcomes for children and young people. My Department is engaged in a public consultation process on the contents of the strategy. We have received over 460 written submissions and my officials are meeting education partners and interest groups as part of the process. The strategy must provide a comprehensive approach to improvement. Literacy begins in the home. It is not just the responsibility of teachers, but of families and schools working together. That must be part and parcel of our approach to this issue.

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