Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival, which started on Monday and will run through to next Sunday, involves 123 free events to do with literacy. It is being run by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, LCETB, and other supporting bodies. There are activities involving IT skills, art, entrepreneurship, open days, tours, education, dance and the Healthy Ireland programme. It is about highlighting the importance of literacy, education and learning as one goes along. The organisers are in their 15th year of running the festival. Limerick is a UNESCO learning city and these events feed into that narrative. People of all ages should go along. There are events for children, adults and those who are not so young. The festival is beneficial to many people and has encouraged some to go back to learn how to read and write. I compliment all involved and wish the festival all the best.