Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

856. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason there is no specific commitment to the Adult Literacy for Life strategy in the Programme for Government; the specific actions he will take to improve adult literacy and numeracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5571/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank Deputy McGettigan for her question. Although the Adult Literacy for Life strategy is not specifically mentioned in Programme for Government, this does not diminish our commitment to addressing unmet literacy and numeracy needs. It is one of the strategic priorities of my department for 2025 to make education accessible for everyone and tackle adult literacy issues, breaking down barriers to ensure everyone is provided with opportunities to reach their potential.

Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) is a 10 Year Strategy Launched in September 2021, the strategy sets out a cross government, cross-economy and cross-society approach to achieve the vision of an Ireland where every adult has the necessary literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy to engage in society and realise their potential. A specific financial allocation of €4 million supports the implementation of the Strategy, which is overseen by a cross-government stakeholder group, which I chair.

The ALL National Programme Office, housed in SOLAS, operates as a central, coordinating body for the ALL Strategy. Sectoral lead roles, some already in place, will advance awareness of unmet literacy need and develop responses in areas such as health literacy, family literacy, workplace literacy, numeracy and the community and voluntary sector. Regional Literacy Coordinators are employed in each ETB regions to drive the ALL Strategy locally.

In 2025, the ALL Cross Government Oversight Group will reinforce a whole-of-government approach, where literacy is not just the responsibility of this Department but is integrated into policies across multiple areas including employment, social participation, and economic prosperity.

With an allocation of €1 million per year, the ALL Collaboration & Innovation Fund has supported over 150 collaborative and innovative projects since 2023 to create safe learning spaces, address the digital divide, build stronger communities, and increase literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy awareness. The fund also helps organisations and services to be literacy aware and friendly. This year’s fund, which closed recently, includes a dedicated financial literacy strand. Soon, payment to successful projects will commence.

2024 Progress:

• The Family Literacy Thematic Group was formed by the National Programme Office in October 2024. The purpose of this group is to agree a vision and embedded approach for family literacy support in Ireland and develop an implementation and evaluation plan.
• The National Programme Office compiled the Education and Training Board Adult Literacy Provision Snapshot Report in December 2024. This document brings together a broad overview of adult literacy being delivered by Education and Training Boards across Ireland. A workshop took place on 6th February with ETB colleagues, Adult Education Officers, Adult Literacy Organisers and Regional Literacy Coordinators to gain further insight into activity and good practice already in place. Officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, research, Innovation and Science will continue engagement with the ALL Programme Office to inform a shared vision for the future of Adult Literacy in Ireland
• Two health literacy online courses were launched in October 2024. One for general public, one for health and social care practitioners. These courses are available here: www.adultliteracyforlife.ie/aware/ and also on HSELand and the One Learning online learning site.
• Plain Language eLearning is in development and will be ready in February 2025. The course will be available here: www.adultliteracyforlife.ie/aware/
• 'Let's talk about literacy' a literacy awareness online course was launched in Limerick by Minister O'Donovan for International Literacy Day, 8 September 2024. The course is available at www.adultliteracyforlife.ie/aware/ and will shortly be available on the One Learning online learning site. A national 'Let's talk about literacy' campaign was held throughout September on radio and social media to promote adult literacy and literacy awareness online course.
• 16 Regional Literacy Coordinators have met with over 600 organisations in the community, identifying gaps and opportunities to improve services and responses to literacy. Similar to the national effort, they have also set up Regional Literacy Coalitions around the country, which will develop and implement regional literacy plans. 2025 is the first year of all 16 Coalitions operating.