General Queries

How is adult literacy financed in Ireland?

National Development Plans

The National Development Plan 2000-2006, provided €93.7 million to the National Adult Literacy Programme in line with its commitment to provide full and diverse education and training opportunities, particularly for those who are socially disadvantaged.

The National Development Plan 2007-2016 has committed €2.2 billion for the further education sub-programme with priorities on addressing low literacy levels in the adult population and the large number who have not completed upper secondary.

It also made commitments to reduce the numbers of children with serious literacy difficulties in primary schools in disadvantaged areas by half, from 30% to 15%.

The Department of Education and Science

The Department of Education and Science funds the bulk of the further education sector through the 33 Vocational Education Committees through out the country.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment funds workplace basic education programmes.

What is Government doing?

In Learning for Life, the 2000 White Paper on Adult Education, the Department of Education and Science placed adult literacy as its top priority and set out the National Adult Literacy Programme. This was a plan to improve literacy levels among the adult population in Ireland. It was the first such plan in Ireland and provided a guide for action in developing adult literacy up to 2006.

In 2007, there was a target set in the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion to reduce the proportion of the population with a significant literacy difficulty from 25% between 20% and 15%.

In terms of the qualifications and the workplace, the National Skills Strategy (Tomorrows Skills, Forfas, 2007) identifies that 539,500 people, some 30% of the workforce, have Level 3 (Junior Certificate) qualifications or less (with an estimated 10% having no qualifications). The strategy identifies the need to reduce this figure to 7% (180,000) workers by 2020 to maintain Ireland's competitiveness and progress towards a knowledge economy.

The Government plans to participate in the next International Adult Literacy Survey, PIAAC. The survey findings will be published in 2013.

How important are good literacy skills?

Literacy and numeracy skills are part of everyday life. Think of all the notices and signs around us, how we use money every day, use the internet and send text messages. Everywhere we go we are faced with text, numbers and technology.

Literacy has an important role for the individual, the worker, the family member and the citizen. Most people have some literacy and numeracy skills, but they can vary in different situations. For example, a person might have high levels of literacy in completing a form but low levels of literacy when figuring out the instructions for using the DVD player.

Those with significant literacy difficulties are likely to have difficulty carrying out day-to-day talks that involve literacy. These might include:

• writing a shopping list,
• reading a health and safety notice, or
• filling in a driving licence application form.

NALA's view is that while literacy is clearly linked to economic development and employment, it must not be limited to issues of economics. Literacy is deeply connected with the rights of individuals and communities: it is about their right to have a voice in society; to continue and extend their education; to read and to be read.

How can I find out more?

If you want to find out more just call our freephone support line on 1800 20 20 65 and you will be put in contact with the literacy service closest to you, or one nearby. It is that simple. All you have to do is make the first call.

If you have access to the internet you can also see more information on www.literacy.ie

I am afriad to go back to education. What should I do?

Remember everyone is nervous at first when they are trying something new so you are not the only one. You will find that the staff at the centre are very kind and understanding and are happy to help you overcome any fears you might have. Remember too that over 50,000 Irish adults are getting help with their reading, writing and number work.

Do I have to go to classes in the nearest Adult Literacy Centre?

No. You can join any service you like.

I don't want anyone to know that I am attending adult education classes. Is this likely?

That is no problem. Adult literacy classes are confidential. No one except you, your tutor and the adult literacy organiser need know about you attending classes. Remember also that nobody will know why you are going into the centre because there are lots of other interesting classes available there as well. You could be going to computer, art or even a dancing class!

I am worried that I won't be able to keep up with the other people in the class. Should I be?

Don't be worried. You can work at your own pace. Also, one-to-one classes are also available. You can talk to your local adult literacy organiser about this if you are still worried.