HC Deb 22 March 2004 vol 419 c583W
Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his latest assessment is of the levels of illiteracy in Northern Ireland, broken down by age group. [161285]

Jane Kennedy

Research to date has focused on measuring levels of literacy and at present no data are available which specifically identifies the levels of illiteracy.

The International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) which was conducted in 1996 indicated that 24 per cent. of the adult population in Northern Ireland performed at the lowest level of literacy, level 1.

Of those adults performing at the lowest level of literacy:

  • 20 per cent. were aged between 16–25;
  • 16 per cent. were aged between 26–35;
  • 21 per cent. were aged between 36–45; and
  • 43 per cent. were aged over 45.

Forward to