asked the Minister for Education if he has under examination in his Department the present standard of literacy achieved after first level and second level education; and if he is satisfied that the literacy standards attained bear comparison with similar age groups in other EEC countries.

The standards of literacy achieved after various levels of education are under constant review in my Department. Such review is a part of the normal process of assessment of the effects, objectives and needs of the educational system and is serviced by reports on testing procedures carried out by Departmental officers and others, by inspectors' reports, by the results of public examinations including examiners' reports and by various surveys and research reports which are submitted to my Department from time to time.

With regard to the literacy standards attained bearing comparison with similar age groups in other EEC countries, I am not aware of any studies undertaken over the range of EEC countries which would allow for valid comparisons of the kind implied by the Deputy and I believe that the establishment of such studies is fraught with difficulties of a technical nature, not the least of which is the lack of any internationally accepted definition of literacy.

I have no reason to consider that the literacy standards achieved in our schools do not bear favourable comparison with those in other EEC countries.

Are there any figures to suggest there is less achievement in literacy as between different parts of the country—for example, in city areas as against country areas— and is any work being done in the Department on that?

That seems to be a separate question.

It does bear on the question of literacy.

There is no information in my Department that there is any major discrepancy as between one part of the country and another.

Is the Minister satisfied there are adequate arrangements in existence for the objective testing of the standard of literacy and numeracy of pupils at the end of the primary school period in the absence of the primary school certificate?

There are the Marino and Drumcondra tests which are available mainly for reading. There have been attempts in the past to adapt tests for writing. I am not too sure of the value of them but I much prefer our own basic research as done in Marino and Drumcondra and I am pleased these tests give worth-while information to educationalists.

Are those tests supplied in all primary schools and, if not, would the Minister wish that they should be?

The Deputy is aware, I think, that the actual tests are being modified and tested in the schools and will finally be available for universal application.

Would the Minister——

I am calling the next question.

Would the Minister consider requiring that such tests be applied in all primary schools?

As they are not the only tests and as we have in our primary schools the finest set of inspectors one could get in any country, I would not at this moment undertake to impose these tests by force on all schools, but I am very glad they have been developed in our own context in our own country and are available.

If the Minister is not considering imposing the test, in the case of schools which decide to apply the tests will he ensure the Department will bear the cost of the test?

That is a separate question.

It may be but I would like to say that, if my Department and my inspectors, in particular, are satisfied they are needed in a specific school, then I shall pay the cost.