Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available for the National Adult Literacy Strategy; and the medium-term plans for funding this organisation. [37993/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is a voluntary national body set up in 1980 that operates as a co-ordinating, campaigning and training body in the area of adult literacy.

NALA receives an annual grant from my Department, both in grant in aid for general running expenses and a supplementary grant for its literacy activities. In 2011, the Department provided almost €1.8 million to NALA for its literacy activities. NALA has also received funding from the National Training Fund for its distance learning project and in 2010/2011 under the Labour Market Activation Fund.

The 2012 Budget will be finalised shortly and the Department's grant to NALA depends on the overall level of funding provided for adult literacy as part of the Budget.