Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter of library funding, which is very important. He set out a very strong case for the reinstatement of this funding stream.

The Department of Education has responsibility for primary and post-primary education and is charged with facilitating individuals through learning, to achieve their full potential and to contribute to Ireland's social, cultural and economic development. The Minister for Education is very conscious of the importance of library services and the value of these in the context of the supports available to schools. However, responsibility for the support and provision of library services rests with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Humphreys.

As the Deputy may be aware, local libraries provide a wide range of resources and activities that support primary schools in developing children's literacy, numeracy, creativity and communication skills.By building on existing partnerships between schools and libraries, all schools can benefit directly from this ongoing co-operation. Each library service operates a network of central libraries, branch libraries and smaller part-time branches. Some library services also provide support for schools through mobile libraries or a school library van. Schools can access all of the services for primary schools through the larger branches or a central library. Schools can also access some services through smaller part-time branches.

Considerable progress has been made in promoting a high level of literacy since the 2011 literacy and numeracy strategy. This strategy set out a vision for raising literacy and numeracy standards in early years, primary and post-primary school settings. The interim review in 2017 highlighted the considerable progress made and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 2016 results indicate the reading skills of primary school children, both in the paper-based and online assessment, are among the best in all European and OECD countries.

The commitments carried out in the lifetime of the literacy and numeracy strategy have prioritised the enhancement of learners' literacy and numeracy skills. Commitments under the strategy include reforms in initial teacher education, dedicated support for school leaders, teachers' professional learning and curriculum reform. Priorities are linked to actions for related policy developments in the Department of Education.

Under the programme for Government, the Department of Education is tasked with the development of a successor literacy, numeracy and digital literacy strategy for all learners in early years, primary and post-primary schools. Development of the strategy will be done in consultation with all education stakeholders and other Departments and bodies, including the Department of Rural and Community Development, which has responsibility for library services.

Deputy O'Sullivan has set out a very strong case. I have contacted the relevant Minister, Deputy Humphreys, as libraries come under her remit. Under the 1971 Act the responsibility was with the Minister for Education. I have raised the matter with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and will pursue it for the Deputy, who has set out a strong case, as I said. He has direct experience of this, as he comes from an educational background, and he has also told of reading to his child. I know the challenges of trying to read to a two-year-old at night as well, although it is a very rewarding experience.

It is so important for society to see children growing into and liking books. The Deputy articulated the cost as being approximately €4 per student. It is a relatively small cost and I hope that as our priorities evolve, this can be prioritised in the context of a new strategy. I will do my best to relay the exceptional case made by the Deputy tonight.

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