Minister rejects criticism of literacy target

Junior Minister for Education Sean Haughey has rejected criticism of the Government's targets for improving adult literacy.

The religious lobby group CORI says the target to reduce illiteracy to between 10% and 15% by 2016 is unambitious and will leave up to half a million people with poor reading and writing skills.

However, Mr Haughey says the target is "practical and realistic" and "great progress" will have been made if the goal is met.