Government uninterested in literacy, says policy watchdog

The Government is showing a complete lack of interest in tackling low literacy levels, a social policy watchdog said today.

Cori Justice today published a progress report on the implementation of almost 100 commitments contained in the Towards 2016 blueprint, one year after it was negotiated.

Cori Justice director Fr Sean Healy said Ireland's labour force must be up-skilled and educated to play a full part in future economic development.

Towards 2016 pledges that 10-15% of the national workforce will be illiterate in 2016.

"In practice this means that Government accepts that up to half a million people of working age will be illiterate in 2016," said Fr Healy.

"This is illogical, unambitious and unacceptable and it suggests a complete lack of interest by Government in seriously addressing the adult literacy problem".

"This would have a very negative effect on Ireland's economic development," he added.

"It would also produce a situation marked by high unemployment levels, high poverty rates and substantial social exclusion."

Fr Healy said it was totally unacceptable in a society which, for the first time in its history, has the resources to tackle these problems effectively and comprehensively.

Cori Justice is one of only organisations that negotiated and signed the last four national agreements: Partnership 2000, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, Sustaining Progress and Towards 2016.

The group represents more than 135 religious congregations with 10,000 members in 1,200 communities throughout Ireland.

In its document, Cori Justice said some Towards 2016 pledges have been honoured like the raising of the lowest social welfare rate for a single person to 30% of gross average industrial earnings in Budget 2007.

The commitments on primary care units, on social housing and on Third World aid have also been progressed satisfactorily, the group said.

However, Cori claimed not enough advancement is being achieved on the Carers' Strategy, child poverty or childcare.

It also called for all national plans, strategies and agreements to be fully integrated to improve efficiency.

A more comprehensive monitoring and review process of commitments is also needed, Fr Healy said.