By supporting the National Adult Literacy Agency, you can help adults across Ireland build literacy skills, confidence and brighter futures.

On 8 September we celebrate International Literacy Day. The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is calling for donations to help support adults with their literacy.

Since 1980, NALA has been helping adults in Ireland with their confidence and skills in reading, writing, maths and technology.

NALA provides free and confidential learning services to adults with unmet literacy needs. Learners can choose what they want to learn and progress at their own pace.

Today in Ireland:

• 1 in 5 adults (around 700,000 people) struggle with reading and understanding simple texts;
• 1 in 4 adults (around 835,000 people) has difficulty with everyday maths;
• 1 in 6 adults (around 640,000 people) struggle with the digital skills needed for daily tasks.*

These statistics represent real people. They are our family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues and customers. These people miss out on life’s opportunities and chances because they lack these basic essential skills. With NALA they can access the tutoring, courses and supports to thrive.

Your support today can make a difference, donate now

Free learning supports for adults

NALA provides a range of free learning services designed to match the needs of each individual learner.

Last year alone, we were proud to:

• support 3,881 learners through our Learn with NALA online learning service and 161 learners with one-to-one phone tutoring;
• award 7,616 NALA certificates of achievement and 3,216 Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) awards to learners using Learn with NALA; and
• celebrate learners’ achievements at award ceremonies.

Our learners are supported throughout, and they can progress at their own pace and in a way that works for them.
International Literacy Day, for us is a day to celebrate the life changing power of literacy. It is also an opportunity to recognise the adult learners who are working to improve their reading, writing, basic maths and computer skills.

Your support matters

NALA is a registered Irish charity who relies heavily on government funding to provide our free literacy services. Due to the large number of adults within Ireland who need support with their literacy, numeracy and digital skills, the demand for our services continues to grow. Our funding does not.

We are reliant on donations from individuals and organisations to help us to continue and expand our free learning services and supports for the adults who need them most.

A donation could help an adult:

• take their first lesson with a tutor;
• build confidence using a computer;
• complete their first online course; or
• achieve a qualification.

Donate online today

As one NALA learner, Linda says:

“I said ‘I am going to make a change for myself…I am going to learn to read and write’…It was the best thing I ever did.”

Linda came to NALA and started her learning journey with our one to one tutoring services. Since returning to learning with NALA, Linda continued her education with her local centre and recently received a level 5 Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) award in healthcare. Her learning journey has continued and helped her transform her life and her career. We are so proud of her achievements.

We need your support

This International Literacy Day, NALA needs your support to help adults in Ireland build literacy skills, confidence and brighter futures.

If you can participate, we assure you that your donation, will help more people across Ireland – just like Linda, to build the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to succeed and to thrive.
Every contribution makes a difference.

Donate today and make a difference

If you want to discuss this or alternative partnership opportunities, please contact our Membership and Funding Development Officer:

Caroline Hollick-Ward at

• Phone: 087 291 6383
• Email: chollickward@nala.ie

*Sources

1. Figures for reading and maths: Adults aged 16-65. Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Survey of Adult Skills 2023
2. Figures for digital skills: Adults aged 16-74. Source: Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI, 2025)