News
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL BACKS CAMPAIGN TO HELP ERADICATE
LITERACY PROBLEMS
- Tuesday, 7th November 2006
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin has said that the unanimous support for the Right to Read Campaign by Dublin City Council is a first, important step in eradicating literacy problems among children.
Last night members of Dublin City Council backed a motion by the Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, which mandates the Council to invest in libraries, homework clubs and housing to improve the environment in which children learn to read and write. In addition, the Council will ensure that social housing delivers adequate space in family homes to allow for the allocation of a study area for children.
The Right to Read Campaign was devised by the Deputy Lord Mayor, who has made tackling literacy problems the main focus for his term in office. The campaign - which is supported by Barnardos, SIPTU, INTO, TUI, ASTI and NALA - was launched in Dublin on Friday (3.11.06).
According to Cllr Ó Ríordáin, “last night’s endorsement by the City Council for the Right to Read Campaign is an excellent outcome, particularly given that the campaign has only just been launched.
“What this endorsement means is that the City Council will make provisions for investment in the areas that have been identified by the Right to Read Campaign.
“The draft budget for Dublin City Council will be developed over the coming weeks, and I have every confidence that budgetary provisions will be made to enable library services improve their opening hours and to allow for the hiring of professional staff to run homework clubs.
Following last night’s vote by Dublin City Council, the Right to Read Campaign is now hoping that other local authorities will back the campaign.
As part of the campaign, a website has been created (www.righttoread.ie) which allows members of the public to sign-up in support of the campaign.