Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the proposal that the Further Education and Training Bill 2013 will include a specific commitment to raise adult literacy and numeracy levels and develop a national adult literacy and numeracy strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26808/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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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.