This report summarises the findings of the 2004 National Assessment of English Reading (NAER), the sixth in a series of national assessments of English reading in Irish primary schools, dating back to 1972. As in the last four assessments, the reading achievements of Fifth class pupils were assessed in 2004, while the achievements of First class pupils were assessed for the first time. The present report, which is designed for a general audience, summarises key findings and recommendations in the larger, more technical, report (Eivers, Shiel, Perkins & Cosgrove, 2005).