The provision of homework clubs, extended public library opening hours and better housing are among the main aims of a new campaign designed to tackle childhood literacy problems in the Dublin area. The campaign was launched at City Hall yesterday.
The initiative, entitled "Right to Read" and led by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, envisages an allocation of some €1.2 million from Dublin City Council, which is due to be voted upon by council members shortly. It is also hoped to extend the programme nationwide.
As part of the campaign, 20,000 copies of a specially produced children's book, written by broadcaster and author Eanna Ní Lamhna and highlighting the problems children face when attempting to find enough space to read, are due to be distributed at public transport stations around the city.
The campaign has the support of the three main teacher unions, the ASTI, TUI and the INTO, as well as the National Adult Literacy Agency and Barnardos.
Speaking at the launch of the new campaign yesterday, which was also attended by Ms Ní Lamhna and Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Vincent Jackson, Cllr Ó Ríordáin said he was appealing to members of the public to show their support by signing up via a new website,www.righttoread.ie.
"The actions that have been identified by the campaign are not rocket science. We want homework clubs to be run by professionally trained tutors, so that children get the appropriate support," he said. "We want libraries to be more child-friendly, with more appropriate opening hours, so that children can learn to enjoy reading. And we want local authority and social housing to include sufficient space for children to undertake homework in their bedroom or another quiet area in their home."
He said: "If you can't read, you can't play a full role in society. If you ask any young offender to read their charge sheet, I'd say they'd have difficulty reading it."