Minister defends low adult literacy targets as 'realistic'

The Government has no plans to revise targets on adult literacy following sharp criticism of its plans by the Conference of Religious of Ireland (Cori).

The agency described the Government targets on illiteracy as "illogical, unambitious and unacceptable" and said the Government has accepted that up to half a million adults would be illiterate by 2016.

Seán Haughey, Minister of State with responsibility for lifelong learning, said yesterday he would be happy if current targets were met. Asked if the targets would be revised in light of the criticism, Mr Haughey said it would be a bonus if targets were exceeded because "huge commitments" had been made.

He said "practical and realistic targets" had to be set out "but my aim is to achieve the objectives set out in the social partnership agreement and if we do I think we will have made great progress starting from a low base".

He was speaking as he launched National Adult Literacy Awareness Week. An advertising campaign sponsored by An Post has begun and adult literacy centres around the State will be promoting their services all week.

One in four Irish adults had problems with everyday literacy tasks such as reading the instructions on a bottle of aspirin. About 500,000 have problems with basic reading and maths.

John Stewart of the National Adult Literacy Agency (Nala) said that improving literacy brought "very significant" benefits in areas such as helping children with homework, and improving work prospects.

Michael Power discovered the benefits when he sought help about eight years ago. He had left school early and when he had children, he decided to learn to read and write. "I couldn't read a simple thing like a bedtime story to my children."

Five years ago, he was made redundant from his factory job and he decided to do his Leaving Certificate. Now he works with children with intellectual disabilities and is chairman of Nala.

He said his life only truly began when he returned to school. "When I was in the factory I was looking at a black hole and there was no way out," he said. "My aim now is to reach back and catch all those people who have difficulties and bring them on the road I came on."

Editorial comment: page 19