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== History ==
== History ==
The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) was established in 1977, and its initial constitution was drafted in 1980. As described by the Adult Literacy Organisers Association (ALOA), through the founding of NALA, and its primary goal of fostering public understanding, the responsibilities of literacy providers broadened to satisfy the developmental requirements of the programme. These responsibilities encompassed duties such as promoting the service, handling inquiries, conducting student interviews and assessments, and coordinating meeting schedules and locations for students and tutors. A rising demand arose for the education of tutors, leading to the establishment of tutor training programmes that were designed in response to the specific needs of the students. These training programmes were continuously refined and enhanced as the service gained more experience and evolved.<ref>[http://www.aloa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/A-Short-History-of-the-Adult-Literacy-Service-and-ALOA-4.pdf A Short History of the Adult Literacy Service and The Foundation of the Adult Literacy Organisers Association (2019)]</ref>
The '''National Adult Literacy Agency''' (NALA) was established in 1977, and its initial constitution was drafted in 1980. As described by the Adult Literacy Organisers Association (ALOA), through the founding of NALA, and its primary goal of fostering public understanding, the responsibilities of literacy providers broadened to satisfy the developmental requirements of the programme. These responsibilities encompassed duties such as promoting the service, handling inquiries, conducting student interviews and assessments, and coordinating meeting schedules and locations for students and tutors. A rising demand arose for the education of tutors, leading to the establishment of tutor training programmes that were designed in response to the specific needs of the students. These training programmes were continuously refined and enhanced as the service gained more experience and evolved.<ref>http://www.aloa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/A-Short-History-of-the-Adult-Literacy-Service-and-ALOA-4.pdf A Short History of the Adult Literacy Service and The Foundation of the Adult Literacy Organisers Association (2019)</ref>


In 1997, then-Minister [[Willie O'Dea]] TD, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, declared an additional allocation of £250,000 to supplement the existing £2 million budget for adult literacy courses. However, Inez Bailey, representing the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), argued that the rise was insufficient, and highlighted a perceived lack of adequate funding. Furthermore, he claimed that there appeared to be "a gap between the minister’s aspirations...and the actual funding that’s being allocated."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adult Literacy In Ireland |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2022/1013/1328921-adult-literacy-in-ireland/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=RTÉ Archives |language=en}}</ref>
In 1997, then-Minister [[Willie O'Dea]] TD, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, declared an additional allocation of £250,000 to supplement the existing £2 million budget for adult literacy courses. However, Inez Bailey, representing the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), argued that the rise was insufficient, and highlighted a perceived lack of adequate funding. Furthermore, he claimed that there appeared to be "a gap between the minister's aspirations...and the actual funding that's being allocated."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adult Literacy In Ireland |url=https://www.rte.ie/archives/2022/1013/1328921-adult-literacy-in-ireland/ |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=RTÉ Archives |language=en}}</ref>


According to the National Built Heritage Service, it was headquartered at 76 Gardiner Street Lower, [[Dublin|Dublin City]], as of 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FUSIO |title=National Adult Literacy Agency, 76 Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1, DUBLIN |url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/50010171/national-adult-literacy-agency-76-gardiner-street-lower-dublin-1-dublin |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Buildings of Ireland |language=en-US}}</ref>
According to the National Built Heritage Service, it was headquartered at 76 Gardiner Street Lower, [[Dublin|Dublin City]], as of 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=FUSIO |title=National Adult Literacy Agency, 76 Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1, DUBLIN |url=https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/50010171/national-adult-literacy-agency-76-gardiner-street-lower-dublin-1-dublin |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Buildings of Ireland |language=en-US}}</ref>
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In 2021, NALA declared that an increase of 1,000 communications to its helpline during 2020, a 44% rise over the same space of time in the year preceding. They stated that this rise had been an outcome of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland|Covid-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-24 |title=Calls to literacy support agency saw 44% increase during pandemic |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/calls-to-literacy-support-agency-saw-44-increase-during-pandemic-1116919.html |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=BreakingNews.ie |language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, NALA declared that an increase of 1,000 communications to its helpline during 2020, a 44% rise over the same space of time in the year preceding. They stated that this rise had been an outcome of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland|Covid-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-24 |title=Calls to literacy support agency saw 44% increase during pandemic |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/calls-to-literacy-support-agency-saw-44-increase-during-pandemic-1116919.html |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=BreakingNews.ie |language=en}}</ref>


As of 2022, NALA was involved in the 'Ireland Reads' initiative, which is a public libraries partnership with with booksellers, publishers, the National Adult Literacy Agency, Children’s Books Ireland, the Arts Council and Healthy Ireland.<ref>[https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/travel-books-flying-off-library-shelves-for-post-covid-holidays-1264062.html ''Travel books ‘flying off’ library shelves for post-Covid holidays''. (2022).]</ref>
As of 2022, NALA was involved in the 'Ireland Reads' initiative, which is a public libraries partnership with with booksellers, publishers, the National Adult Literacy Agency, Children's Books Ireland, the Arts Council and Healthy Ireland.<ref>https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/travel-books-flying-off-library-shelves-for-post-covid-holidays-1264062.html ''Travel books 'flying off' library shelves for post-Covid holidays''. (2022).</ref>


The Parole Board in Ireland develops its written submissions in conjunction with NALA, which are composed in plain English.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oireachtas |first=Houses of the |date=2022-12-06 |title=Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Tuesday, 6 Dec 2022 – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2022-12-06/18?highlight%5B0%5D=national&highlight%5B1%5D=adult&highlight%5B2%5D=literacy&highlight%5B3%5D=agency |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=www.oireachtas.ie |language=en-ie}}</ref>
The Parole Board in Ireland develops its written submissions in conjunction with NALA, which are composed in plain English.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oireachtas |first=Houses of the |date=2022-12-06 |title=Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Tuesday, 6 Dec 2022 – Houses of the Oireachtas |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2022-12-06/18?highlight%5B0%5D=national&highlight%5B1%5D=adult&highlight%5B2%5D=literacy&highlight%5B3%5D=agency |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=www.oireachtas.ie |language=en-ie}}</ref>

Revision as of 18:03, 21 April 2024

National Adult Literacy Agency
AbbreviationNALA
Formation1977
TypeRegistered charity
HeadquartersDublin, Ireland

The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) is a non-profit organisation in Ireland.[1] According to the Irish Times, NALA endeavours to devise innovative approaches to tackle the matter of literacy. This involves collaborating with various Government departments and State agencies at a national level to create and execute policies aimed at improving the circumstances of individuals facing challenges in literacy or numeracy. Their goal is to bring about improvements for these individuals.[2] It is a voluntary body.[3]

Documents pertaining to NALA are stored in the National Library of Ireland.[4] According to its website, its patron is President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.[5]

History

The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) was established in 1977, and its initial constitution was drafted in 1980. As described by the Adult Literacy Organisers Association (ALOA), through the founding of NALA, and its primary goal of fostering public understanding, the responsibilities of literacy providers broadened to satisfy the developmental requirements of the programme. These responsibilities encompassed duties such as promoting the service, handling inquiries, conducting student interviews and assessments, and coordinating meeting schedules and locations for students and tutors. A rising demand arose for the education of tutors, leading to the establishment of tutor training programmes that were designed in response to the specific needs of the students. These training programmes were continuously refined and enhanced as the service gained more experience and evolved.[6]

In 1997, then-Minister Willie O'Dea TD, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science, declared an additional allocation of £250,000 to supplement the existing £2 million budget for adult literacy courses. However, Inez Bailey, representing the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), argued that the rise was insufficient, and highlighted a perceived lack of adequate funding. Furthermore, he claimed that there appeared to be "a gap between the minister's aspirations...and the actual funding that's being allocated."[7]

According to the National Built Heritage Service, it was headquartered at 76 Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin City, as of 2011.[8]

In July 2020, the National Adult Literacy Agency released three papers that focused on research findings regarding adult literacy, recommendations for addressing adult literacy, and criticisms of present practices for their inadequacy. NALA requested that the nine government ministries responsible for adult reading, numeracy, and digital skills collaborate in developing a "cross-departmental approach." NALA expressed the view that implementing this in Ireland would be highly feasible, and referenced the Netherlands as a nation that succeeded in establishing a comparable system.[9]

To celebrate NALA's fortieth anniversary, in October 2020, a book titled Voices was published. It was a compilation of concise narratives and analytical compositions authored by 27 individuals from Ireland. It was specifically designed for adult readers who encounter challenges in the act of reading. The editing was performed by Patricia Scanlan, one of Ireland's most renowned novelists. It featured contributions from Christine Dwyer Hickey, Deirdre Purcell, Graham Norton, Blindboy Boatclub and Roddy Doyle.[10] It was primarily financed the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Further and Higher Education.[11]

In 2021, NALA declared that an increase of 1,000 communications to its helpline during 2020, a 44% rise over the same space of time in the year preceding. They stated that this rise had been an outcome of the Covid-19 pandemic.[12]

As of 2022, NALA was involved in the 'Ireland Reads' initiative, which is a public libraries partnership with with booksellers, publishers, the National Adult Literacy Agency, Children's Books Ireland, the Arts Council and Healthy Ireland.[13]

The Parole Board in Ireland develops its written submissions in conjunction with NALA, which are composed in plain English.[14]

References

  1. ^ NALA: A Living History (2020)
  2. ^ "What's it like to work in. . . The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA)?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  3. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (2004-02-19). "Written Answers – Dáil Éireann (29th Dáil) – Thursday, 19 Feb 2004 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  4. ^ "NALA". catalogue.nli.ie. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  5. ^ "About us". NALA. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  6. ^ http://www.aloa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/A-Short-History-of-the-Adult-Literacy-Service-and-ALOA-4.pdf A Short History of the Adult Literacy Service and The Foundation of the Adult Literacy Organisers Association (2019)
  7. ^ "Adult Literacy In Ireland". RTÉ Archives. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  8. ^ FUSIO. "National Adult Literacy Agency, 76 Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin 1, DUBLIN". Buildings of Ireland. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  9. ^ Aodha, Gráinne Ní (2020-07-22). "Cross-department approach could help tackle Ireland's rate of illiteracy - report". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  10. ^ "Read a short story by Cork-reared designer Louise Kennedy in new book". Echo Live. 2020-10-16. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  11. ^ "Top Irish authors contribute to new book to help adult literacy". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  12. ^ "Calls to literacy support agency saw 44% increase during pandemic". BreakingNews.ie. 2021-04-24. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  13. ^ https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/travel-books-flying-off-library-shelves-for-post-covid-holidays-1264062.html Travel books 'flying off' library shelves for post-Covid holidays. (2022).
  14. ^ Oireachtas, Houses of the (2022-12-06). "Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions – Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) – Tuesday, 6 Dec 2022 – Houses of the Oireachtas". www.oireachtas.ie. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
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