Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to include a specific commitment in the FET SOLAS Bill 2013 to develop a national adult literacy and numeracy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23874/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider amending the Solas Bill to include an adult literacy and numeracy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23883/13]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prioritise adult literacy in 2013; the reason it is excluded in the Further Education and Training Bill 2013, [24039/13]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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361. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an adult literacy and numeracy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24382/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 325, 342 and 361 together.

I recognise that further education and training as it is currently delivered covers a broad spectrum that ranges from basic adult literacy and numeracy courses to courses that are certified at level 6 and above on the National Framework of Qualifications. Section 9 of the Bill provides that SOLAS, once established, will prepare and submit, to the Minister, a strategy in respect of further education and training. The issue of including a provision in the Bill for the development of a national adult literacy and numeracy strategy was raised at Dáil Committee Stage. I have asked officials in the Department to give consideration to this matter in advance of Report Stage in the Dáil in coming weeks.