John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of moderate and severe literacy difficulties at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7889/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Reading literacy achievement in primary schools is measured using standardised reading tests. Children's achievement scores on these tests are expressed in percentiles from 1 to 99. Those who score at or below the tenth percentile are generally regarded as having serious literacy difficulties and would be given additional supports in school, such as learning support teaching.

At second level, the Programme for International Student Achievement, PISA, survey of 15 year olds conducted in 2000 categorised achievement at five levels of proficiency. Those who had the lowest level of literacy achievement were categorised as "Below Level 1". In Ireland, only 3.1% of children were in this category, well below the OECD average of 6%, while 7.9% of Irish students scored at Level 1, compared to an OECD average of 11.9%. I believe that literacy achievement is fundamental to a sound education and I will continue to give high priority to maintaining and improving literacy standards in primary schools.