Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, together with Minister of State Marian Harkin, today announced the allocation of more than 1 million to support innovative projects tackling unmet adult literacy needs throughout Ireland.
The funding announcement took place at the Literacy Changing Lives event held at Croke Park, organised by the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) National Programme Office within SOLAS. The event brought together learners, educators, and community partners from across the country to showcase the impact of collaborative efforts addressing literacy challenges in Irish communities.
Now in its third year, the Collaboration and Innovation Fund, managed by the ALL National Programme Office, has supported over 270 projects aimed at improving literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial skills among adults. These initiatives are helping to build a more inclusive and equal society by empowering people with essential skills needed in daily life.
Minister Marian Harkin reflected on the importance of the projects:
I am delighted to see first-hand the incredible work that is happening throughout the country through these innovative projects and partnerships that are supporting people to access the vital literacy services they need, helping us to work towards a more inclusive and equal society in Ireland.
Literacy is an issue that continues to affect many adults in Ireland 1 in 5 adults, aged between 16-65, are at or below Level 1 in literacy, meaning they struggle with reading and understanding everyday text. Initiatives such as the Collaboration and Innovation Fund provide critical investment to communities across Ireland, supporting projects and activities that enable adults to gain the necessary literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and financial literacy they need to fully engage in society and realise their potential.
Minister James Lawless emphasised the wider impact of literacy skills:
Literacy is fundamental to both personal empowerment and economic participation. Our government and my department are committed to ensuring every adult has the opportunity to improve their literacy. This is evidenced and actioned through the Adult Literacy for Life strategy. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is delivering partnerships that are helping to break down barriers and bring forward innovative, people-centered solutions to literacy challenges. The aim being to build a more inclusive, informed, and empowered society.
Yvonne McKenna, Director of the Adult Literacy for Life Office at SOLAS, highlighted the strength of partnership work:
I am delighted to be here today to showcase excellent literacy-focused initiatives, including those funded through the ALL Collaboration and Innovation Fund. These projects are having a real impact at local level and making a difference in the lives of many people. The wide range and diversity of the projects it supports is inspiring to see.
The ALL Strategy takes an all of society approach so this annual event provides us with an important opportunity to celebrate success stories, share best practice, ask questions, but most importantly to generate ideas on how literacy partners can collectively drive change by working together. It also highlights the real power of effective partnership.
Some of the great examples of innovative projects shown today include a project supporting literacy through heritage and storytelling in Roscrea, and a podcast created with members of the Traveller Community in Blanchardstown, to name just two. All of the projects showcased help support the aims of the 10-year Adult Literacy for Life strategy to make Ireland a more inclusive and equal society.
In addition to the funding, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) contributed 250,000 to the financial literacy strand of the Collaboration and Innovation Fund this year, supporting 29 financial literacy projects in 2025.
Launch of Free Online Plain Language Course
As part of the event, the Adult Literacy for Life Office also launched a free online course on plain language. The course is designed to help public-facing professionals communicate clearly and simply, making services more accessible to people with literacy challenges.
The course is available online at:
www.adultliteracyforlife.ie/aware/plain-language-course/
