Literacy in Ireland

The OECD’s International Adult Literacy Survey found that one in four adults surveyed in Ireland did not show the literacy skills and confidence needed to take part effectively in society. Nearly 30% of the labour force has lower secondary education or less. With the recent increases in adult literacy budgets, participation in VEC adult literacy services has increased from 5,000 students in 1998 to 35,000 in 2005. However, only an estimated 7% of adults with literacy difficulties receive literacy tuition through local education services.

This section provides details on the help available to people in Ireland who have a literacy difficulty. Here you will find contact details and information about your local adult education providers as well as details of distance education supports that are available. It also contains information on the research and policies that exist concerning the adult literacy issue. It contains both national and international information and aims to provide a background into:

• why there is an issue;
• what the issues are; and
• how Governments are working to resolve these issues.