Ministers Harkin and Lawless announce awarding of more than €1 million in funding to key projects tackling literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial literacy needs across Ireland

SOLAS/16.06.2026

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless and Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin today (16.06.26) announced the allocation of more than €1 million in funding to innovative projects across Ireland supporting adults with unmet literacy needs.

The announcement coincided with the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) showcase event in Midlands Park hotel, Portlaoise, hosted by the ALL National Programme Office in SOLAS. The event brought together learners, educators, and community partners across Ireland to mark the ALL strategy's halfway point and to celebrate collective achievements including:

  • Over 410 literacy projects supported by the ALL Collaboration and Innovation Fund in the last four years, helping adults with unmet literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial literacy needs.

  • The establishment of 16 Regional Adult Literacy Coalitions, with over 200 organisations involved. The coalitions work together across communities to develop regional action plans to address local literacy needs.

  • The launch of four free eLearning modules to help make Ireland more literacy aware and literacy friendly, with 3,600 individuals taking the course on literacy partners platforms.

  • Over 1,000 local organisations, agencies and community groups engaged through the network of 16 Regional Literacy Coordinators.

Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said:

“I am delighted to attend this annual event and hear inspiring stories about how literacy is changing lives across Ireland. As the Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy reaches its halfway point it’s really important for us to take a moment to pause, reflect and celebrate some of the collective efforts in supporting people to access the vital literacy services they need, contributing towards a more inclusive and equal society in Ireland.

“We must continue the good work through initiatives such as the ALL Collaboration and Innovation Fund. I am delighted to be here today to announce €1 million in funding to key projects tackling literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial literacy needs across Ireland. These projects 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.”

Minister Lawless stated:

“Literacy skills are fundamental for both personal and economic participation in society. Our Government and my Department remains committed to ensuring every adult has the opportunity to improve their literacy. A key vehicle for delivering this work is the Adult Literacy for Life strategy. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is a brilliant example of an initiative that is helping to break down barriers by delivering innovative, people-centered solutions to literacy challenges.”

Colm McEvoy, Executive Director of System Transformation at SOLAS said:

“The ALL Strategy takes an ‘all of society’ approach to supporting those with unmet literacy needs. This annual event is a really valuable opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements, share best practice, generate new ideas, and emphasize the importance of effective partnerships in driving change across the literacy space.”

This year the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) contributed over €164,000 towards a financial literacy strand of the Collaboration and Innovation Fund. 22 financial literacy projects have been awarded funding in 2026.

Find out more information at: https://www.adultliteracyforlife.ie/