To mark the 30th birthday of the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) the President of Ireland Mary McAleese hosted a reception in Aras an Uachtaráin.
150 people were in attendance. North Tipperary VEC was represented by a student, Elizabeth Gleeson, and volunteer tutor, Adrian Hewson. President McAleese greeted people individually and made a very touching and informal speech on the contribution of NALA, and other stakeholders, to literacy over three decades. She conveyed that literacy was an issue very close to her heart and that NALA had made a very large and profound impact on raising awareness of adult literacy issues. She talked about the courage of the literacy students who went back to learning and how one adult literacy student described to her how life before adult literacy classes was ‘like living in a matchbox'.
The President applauded NALA's efforts and wished them continued success. Inez Bailey of NALA then spoke and made reference to the very significant role of the VEC Adult Literacy Service in forwarding the literacy agenda. Michael Power who has been a student with North Tipperary VEC Adult Literacy Service is the current chairman of NALA.
We in North Tipperary VEC Adult Literacy Service caters for 500 learners throughout the county is places such as St. Sheelan's College Templemore Roscrea 2000, Tipperary Regional Youth Services Thurles,  Teach an Léinn Nenagh, Borrisokane College, and Newport College.  We deliver reading writing and numeracy tuition both on a one-to-one and group arrangement and all our services are confidential.
Adults themselves, or indeed, families or friends of adults in need of literacy support can make confidential contact with Dorothy Brislane at 067 33437.