Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

21. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent study published by the OECD that showed 17.9% of adults were at or below level one for literacy, compared to a European average of 16.7%; his plans on the way to how we can improve the literacy rates of Irish adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43766/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

By way of clarification on average across the countries that participated in PIAAC 16.7% of adults score at or below Level 1 for literary proficiency. This is not a European average. While Ireland has 17.9% at this level, this proportion is not considered to be statistically different from the survey average and is in line with nine other countries including Germany, England and Poland. I am also pleased to see that Ireland is one of only five countries that improved its performance at level one or below.

It is important to note that a person scoring at or below level one on the PIAAC survey should not be characterised as being illiterate. In fact, the reading component tests administered as part of PIAAC show that even at the lowest levels of literacy proficiency there are significant levels of reading skill. For example, persons scoring at level one show knowledge and skill in recognising basic vocabulary, evaluating the meaning of sentences and reading paragraph text.

This Government is committed to assisting people improve their life chances through improving their literacy. The results of the PIAAC survey has reinforced my view that we need to work hard on core skills. A major review of the adult literacy service has just been published and work has begun on implementing its recommendations. In addition, SOLAS will be producing a strategy on literacy and numeracy provision as part of its development of an overall Further Education and Training Strategy. This will build on the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which is being implemented in our schools.