Friday 1 September 2000

Irish Language/Media Outlets
Special Schools Programme
Standards of Literacy and Numeracy

Written Answers to Questions

Mr Ian Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Education to list the media outlets which receive from the Department press notices published in the Irish language and to confirm that to date the Department has spent £3,312 on Irish language promotional activities.

(AQW 773/99)

The Minister of Education (Mr McGuinness): At present, Irish language versions of Departmental press notices are provided at their request to the following media outlets:

Irish News
RTE
Irish Times
La
Andersonstown News
Tele Na Gaelige
BBC News.

Should any other media outlet request such press notices in Irish I will arrange for these to be provided.

Since responding to your earlier Written Assembly Question on 12 June (AQW479) a further £552 has been spent on Press Notices bringing the total expenditure to £3864.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Education what action will be taken to improve standards of literacy and numeracy.

(AQW 804/99)

Mr McGuinness: My Department has developed, with its education partners, a wide ranging Strategy for the Promotion of Literacy and Numeracy in primary and secondary schools, which is in the second year of its implementation. I have arranged for you to receive a copy of the Strategy document and for a copy to be placed in the Assembly Library.

Mr Oliver Gibson asked the Minister of Education what plans exist to extend the special schools programme.

(AQW 805/99)

Mr McGuinness: While it is the responsibility of each Education and Library Board to bring forward schemes in respect of special schools in its area, the Department is aware of the accommodation needs of the special school sector and is taking steps to have Boards accelerate the planning for those schools most urgently in need. Included among these are the 9 remaining former special care schools which have still to be replaced.