Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The National Strategy: Literacy & Numeracy for Learning and life 2011-2020 and Interim Review 2017 sets out a clear vision for raising standards of teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy for all learners including those with additional needs in our early years, primary and post-primary schools. The strategy has resulted in reforms in initial teacher education, dedicated support for professional learning and curriculum reform. The interim review identified areas for particular focus for the remainder of the strategy to include a set of discrete targets for DEIS schools focussed on reducing the literacy and numeracy achievement gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools.

My Department has continued to keep literacy and numeracy as a high priority during the period of 2019-2020. Supports have been put in place to include a series of literacy and Numeracy research reports and resources and an innovative programme Covid Learning and Support Scheme (CLASS) which affords schools the flexibility to implement additional specific educational supports for learners during the current academic year.

My Department’s support services PDST and JCT continue to provide a comprehensive suite of supports to teachers in relation to literacy and numeracy with Reading Recovery, Maths Recovery, Languages and Literacy and Numeracy continuing to be part of the priority supports for teachers at both primary and post-primary levels.

Development of a new Literacy and Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy, is underway. The strategy will be informed by robust research to include consideration of national and international practice, stakeholder engagement and public consultation.