Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 664: To ask the Minister for Education and Science, further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 27 May 2009, in respect of the junior certificate school programme demonstration library programme, if he will provide a commitment to maintain the JCSP school librarian, as a front line member of staff and sole provider of specialised and essential literacy services for the most disadvantaged students in schools here and without whom a school will struggle to maintain the progress in literacy development achieved to date. [22465/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Library staff, like other public servants in the Education Sector, other than teachers and SNAs, are subject to the public sector recruitment moratorium at the current time. My Department also funds the various other literacy and numeracy supports for second level schools through the JCSP Literacy and Numeracy Strategies. These strategies encourage schools to adopt a co-ordinated, school-wide approach to literacy and numeracy difficulties.

An integral part of the strategy are the local, action research based initiatives undertaken by particular schools which are used to inform the wider network of schools on imaginative, effective responses to promoting literacy and numeracy. These interventions include:

Paired Maths

Cross Aged Paired Maths

Flashmaster

Number Millionaire

Make your Own Opoly

Paired Reading

Cross Age Peer Tutoring

Readalong

Reading Challenge

Word Millionaire

There are currently 220 second level schools availing of these supports, 163 of which are DEIS Schools. Invitations to join JCSP for 2009/10 have been issued to those not already included and to date 22 applications have been received. In addition to this, approximately €9m has been invested in the JCSP Demonstration Library Project since it's establishment in 2002. While managing a difficult economic climate my Department remains committed to supporting schools in the area of Literacy and Numeracy into the future.