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One in five adults in Ireland has unmet literacy needs. With your help, we can change this.

Literacy is a human right

1 in 5 adults* in Ireland struggle with reading and understanding information. Even more struggle with everyday maths. They may have difficulty with tasks such as filling in forms, reading a bus timetable, understanding bills or following instructions. This has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities.

With your help we can change this.

*Adults aged 16-65. Source: Central Statistics Office (2024). Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) 2023.

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Photo group of students cheering at the NALA Learner Day Cork 7 March 2024

Student advocacy

Reasons to support us

NALA needs your support

Low literacy costs. Literacy issues isolate people and communities. People with low levels of literacy earn less income and are more likely to report poor health.

Literacy changes lives. Good literacy skills are fundamental to the life chances of each citizen and to the development of an equal society.

High literacy pays. Improving responses to literacy issues can save public services, businesses and the economy millions each year.

Our campaigns

Take the first step

Take the first step is a public information campaign that helps people who have difficulty with reading, writing, maths or technology.

The campaign uses real-life stories of people who returned to education to improve their skills, and encourages others to contact the National Adult Literacy Agency for information on free courses.

Learn more