Over €40,000 in funding awarded to fund key projects in Tipperary
Ministers Harkin and Lawless have announced €43,948 to fund key projects in Tipperary tackling literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and financial literacy needs
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, have announced the allocation of €43,948 in funds to Co Tipperary to deliver innovative community projects to help tackle unmet literacy needs, and benefit adults and communities across the region.
Awarded as part of the overarching €1 million euro national Adult Literacy For Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund 2026, the €43,948 funding allocated to County Tipperary will address unmet literacy needs across the region through the delivery of transformational cross-community projects, spanning literacy, family literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, and financial literacy to benefit the local community.
The announcement coincided with the Adult Literacy for Life showcase event at the Midlands Park hotel, Portlaoise hosted by the ALL National Programme Office in SOLAS, where learners, educators, and community partners in County Tipperary and across Ireland showcased examples of best practice in literacy, and highlighted impactful 2025 CIF projects at the midpoint of Government’s 10-year national ALL strategy.
Some of the seven 2026 projects receiving funding from SOLAS through the Adult Literacy For Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund (CIF) 2026 in County Tipperary include:
The Cooking up Confidence Initiative: This project, based in Tipperary town and Clonmel aims to support adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital skills needs through practical, community-based cooking and literacy programmes, and promotes social inclusion and integration.
Using food as a universal and engaging medium, the project will deliver two eight-week courses that combine hands-on cooking with everyday literacy learning in a supportive group environment.
The Tipp of Our Tongues initiative: Tipp of Our Tongues is a plurilingual, intercultural community‑building creative writing project.
It invites learners in Roscrea to work with all of the languages they know, with no specific language skills required, and focuses on linguistic diversity as a creative resource, and way of building connection, to build confidence, literacy and language skills in a creative and inclusive manner.
Speaking at the event, Minister Harkin said: "I'm really pleased to hear about the wonderful work that is taking place across the country. These innovative projects in County Tipperary and across Ireland are helping people access essential literacy services and contributing towards our goal of a more inclusive society for all.”
“Literacy remains a challenge for 1 in 5 adults aged 16-65, who struggle with everyday reading. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is a vital investment in community projects that make a real difference in helping adults develop literacy, numeracy, digital, and financial skills so they can participate fully in society and reach their potential."
Minister Lawless said: “Literacy is an essential skill for personal and economic empowerment. Our Government and Department remain committed to helping all adults improve their literacy, through the implementation of the Adult Literacy for Life strategy. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund is a brilliant example of the importance of partnerships in delivering this work in County Tipperary and across Ireland. We can address literacy challenges with innovative, people-focused solutions and create a more inclusive and informed society.”
Ester Mackey, Regional Literacy Coordinator at Tipperary ETB said: “The Adult Literacy for Life Strategy sets out a clear plan to support adults who have unmet literacy needs across County Tipperary and throughout Ireland. The Collaboration and Innovation Fund supports local groups to work together and try new ideas at community level. It helps organisations across Tipperary to develop practical projects that respond to unmet local literacy needs.”
“I am delighted that seven projects in this region have received funding this year. These projects will help adults build confidence in their everyday skills and take part more fully in work, learning and community life. We look forward to seeing the positive difference the funding and projects will make locally.”