Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Is it not a fact that the Government's economic, health and education policies are an abject failure? The education policy is an appalling failure and it is the worst of all OECD countries. Did the Minister say more people are staying in school longer and that is the reason they are not reading as much?

Is it not a fact that in 2000, students up to 15 years of age were compelled to attend school, as is the case at present? There is no difference in the year. This test takes place when they are 15 years of age. All students of 15 years of age are tested in this so it is wrong to claim that more students are staying in school. They must stay in school until that age. Is it not a fact that the Minister does not have a strategy for dealing with it? Does she not believe an all-out battle or crusade is required to ensure our young people can read as well as anybody else, particularly somebody in the Far East?

The Minister's information technology policy is a big failure, with only 2% of schools having high speed broadband. She must address that. Finally, does she agree with empowering school principals to deal with literacy? In other words, would she not consider selecting school principals who wish to be trained in functional literacy, how to teach it and how to improve skills and standards for their staff as something she could do immediately?

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