DEPUTY MAYOR’S ‘RIGHT TO READ CAMPAIGN’ URGES DUBLINERS TO BUY CHILDREN A BOOK THIS CHRISTMAS

Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr Aodhan O Riordain has urged Dubliners to purchase a book for children this Christmas. Speaking as his ‘Right to Read’ campaign gathers pace, Cllr O Riordain called on parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents and indeed any adult who will be purchasing a gift for a child this Christmas, to buy them a book.

‘Unfortunately, our literacy statistics make uncomfortable reading, with one in three children in disadvantaged areas having basic reading problems. Therefore I believe it is the duty of adults to take on the responsibility of encouraging the development of a learning society by giving a book as part of their Christmas gifts to children this year.’

Cllr O Riordain has spent the last month distributing 20,000 free books to children across Dublin as part of his Right to Read Campaign. The campaign, which is focused on the local authorities response to educational disadvantage, has already achieved provision of €1 million from Dublin City Council for an improved library service and the establishment of homework clubs citywide.‘Giving a child the gift of reading is by far the most important gift that any child can receive. I encourage Dubliners to give children the gift of reading this Christmas’