The Adult Basic Education Service (ABE) provides small group and some 1-1 tuition in reading, writing and maths to adults with a basic skills need for adults with literacy difficulties. Generally NFQ levels 1-3 are offered.
The Adult Basic Education (Literacy) service is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
Programmes Offered by the Adult Basic Education Service (Literacy):
- You can learn on your own with a tutor or in a small group.
- You can learn at your own pace, at a time that suits you.
- Tuition is centred on the learners needs.
- Tuition is provided in a relaxed, friendly environment.
- The service is confidential.
- The service is free.
- Certification is available.
- Intensive Tuition for Adult Basic Education (ITABE).
“Literacy involves listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and using everyday technology to communicate and handle information. It includes more than the technical skills of communication (reading, writing and spelling): it also has personal, social and economic dimensions. Literacy increases the opportunity for individuals and communities to reflect on their situation, explore new possibilities and initiate change.”
Further Education and Training Centre Contacts
Cork City Area:
Ables Adult Literacy Scheme
Ms. Fiona Long – Resource Worker
Community Services Building,
Carnloch Drive, Glen Avenue,
The Glen, Co. Cork.
e: fiona.long@corketb.ie
t: (021) 455 3180 / (086) 608 7111
Ballyphehane – Read Write Now Literacy Scheme
Ms. Bernadette De Courcey
Community Resource Centre,
Lower Friars Walk, Ballyphehane, Cork.
e: bernadette.decourcey@corketb.ie
t: (021) 431 9085
Mahon Basic Adult Education Support Scheme
Ms. Bríd Murphy – Adult Literacy Organiser
Mahon Family Resource Centre,
Mahon Drive, Mahon, Cork.
e: brid.murphy@corketb.ie
t: (021) 435 8866 / (086) 857 7820
Travellers / Roma Literacy Scheme
Ms. Mary Ryder – Adult Literacy Organiser
St. Vincent de Paul,
Tuckey Street, Cork.
e:mary.ryder@corketb.ie
t:(021) 425 5542 / (086) 0487404
Altrusa Literacy Scheme
Ms. Mary Ryder – Adult Literacy Organiser
Douglas Street Education Services Centre,
107 Douglas Street, Cork.
e: mary.ryder@corketb.ie
t: (021) 425 5542 or (086) 1986029
Churchfield / Farranree Write Together
Ms. Margo Kelleher – Resource Worker
Ms. Margie O’Riordan – Resource Worker
Education & Rights Centre,
5 Churchfield Ave,Churchfield, Cork.
e: margo.kelleher@corketb.ie
e: margie.oriordan@corketb.ie
t: (021) 430 7969 / (086) 040 7497
Mayfield Write On Adult Literacy Scheme
Mr. Darragh McNamara
Ardbhaile Community Centre,
Old Youghal Rd, Mayfield, Cork.
e: darragh.mcnamara@corketb.ie
t: (021) 450 0434
ESOL Co-ordinator
Ms. Mary Ryder – Adult Literacy Organiser
e: mary.ryder@corketb.ie
t: (021) 425 5542 / (086) 048 7404
South Cork West Area:
Ballincollig ABE Centre
Ms. Sarah Donovan – Resource Worker
e: sarah.donovan@corketb.ie
t: (021) 487 8899 or (086) 880 8057
Macroom Adult Basic Ed. Service
Ms. Sheila Scully – Development Worker
e: sheila.scully@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 9097
Carrigaline ABE Centre
Ms. Frances McInerney – Development Worker
e: frances.mcinerney@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 8757
South Cork East Area:
Cobh FET Centre
Ms. Teresa Quirke – Resource Worker
e: teresa.quirke@corketb.ie
t: (021) 485 5472 or (086) 823 8772
Youghal FET Centre
Ms. Cathy O’Mahony – Resource Worker
e: cathy.omahony@corketb.ie
t: (024) 936 74 or (086) 823 8746
Midleton FET Centre
Ms. Helen Walsh – Resource Worker
e: helen.walsh@corketb.ie
t: (021) 462 1567 or (086) 823 8769
North Cork Area:
Ms. Nuala White
FET Area Co-Ordinator (North Cork)
e: nuala.white@corketb.ie
t: (086) 682 3717
Fermoy FET Centre
Ms. Ruth Doherty – Resource Worker
e: ruth.doherty@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 8758 / (025) 42945
The Q Centre, Mallow
Ms. Marion Hennessy – Resource Worker
e: marion.hennessy@corketb.ie
t: (087) 770 1041 / (022) 42322
Millstreet FET Centre
Ms. Marie Twomey – Resource Worker
e: marie.twomey@corketb.ie
t: (086) 770 7301
Charleville FET Centre
Ms. Sadie Allen – Resource Worker
Ms. Mary O’Connell – Development Worker
e: sadie.allen@corketb.ie/ mary.oconnell@corketb.ie
t: (086)791 2485 / (063) 81422
Kanturk/Newmarket
Ms. Marion Hennessy – Resource Worker
Ms. Noleen O’Mahony – Development Worker
e: marion.hennessy@corketb.ie / noleen.omahony@corketb.ie
t: (087) 770 1041 / (086) 8238733
Mitchelstown FET Centre
Ms. Ria Breen – Resource Worker
e: ria.breen@corketb.ie
t: (086) 048 4457
West Cork Area:
Bandon FET Centre
Mr. Raymond O’Regan – Resource Worker
e: raymond.oregan@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 9094
Beara FET Centre
Ms. Noreen Murnane – Resource Worker
e: noreen.murnane@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 9147
Dunmanway FET Centre
Ms. Dorothy Beamish – Resource Worker
e: dorothy.beamish@corketb.ie
t: (023) 885 6708 or (086) 823 9149
Bantry St. Gobans FET Centre
Ms. Irene O’Driscoll – Development Worker
e: abebantry@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 9140
Ms. Margaret Lavin – Resource Worker
e: margaret.lavin@corketb.ie
t: (086) 823 9089
Clonakilty FET Centre
Ms. Bríd Murphy – Resource Worker
e: brid.m.murphy@corketb.ie
t: (023) 883 6968 or (086) 020 4681
Skibbereen/Schull FET Centre
Ms. Jane Gill – Resource Worker
e: jane.gill@corketb.ie
t: (028) 40296 or (086) 190 9694
Intensive Tuition for Adult Basic Education (ITABE)
The ITABE project is an initiative of the Department of Education & Skills, to deliver through ETB Adult Literacy Services, a model of tuition in adult literacy and basic education for adults who are educationally disadvantaged. This intensive programme is offered on the basis of 6 hours (delivered in two or three sessions per week) for 14 weeks. The course covers listening, speaking, reading, writing and number skills.
The aim of the programme is to provide participants, in groups of 6 – 8 students, with an opportunity to access 6 hours of tuition per week over a 14-week period as opposed to the average of 2 hours per week currently provided. A number of these projects have been allocated to each of the 16 ETBs.
This is a joint project led by the ETBI, in partnership with NALA, with the co-ordination of the project provided by Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB.
The ITABE project will be supported by an Advisory Group comprising representatives of the Department of Education & Skills, the ETBI, the ETB Literacy Forum, the National Adult Literacy Agency and the National Centre for Guidance in Education.
Who are the course participants?
Participants will be 18 years of age or older and not attending full-time second level education. They must be experiencing a severe degree of literacy or numeracy difficulties and have a literacy standard below QQI Level 3.
What might the course content include?
The majority of tuition hours will be allocated to modules most directly related to literacy/numeracy provision. The course content should include a combination of the following:
- Communication Skills: Reading / Writing / Spelling / Numeracy / Oral Communication
- Learning to Learn: Understanding Learning Styles / Study Skills / Educational Guidance
- Introduction to IT: Basic Computers / Internet
Will there be an option of accreditation?
Participants will be given the opportunity to gain QQI accreditation if they so choose and if it is available. All participants must have their literacy/numeracy skills assessed at the beginning and end of the course using appropriate methodologies.
What additional supports are available to participants?
Adult students taking part in ITABE programmes are entitled to access the Adult Education Guidance Initiative – AEGI in schemes in which guidance projects have been established. Since ITABE projects will be provided by local ETB Adult Literacy Services participants will also benefit from the existing supports provided by these services.
How can I find out more?
If you would like any further details please contact the National ITABE Coordinator:
Ms. Marian Lynch,
Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB,
1 Tuansgate, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
t: (01) 452 9600
e: mlynch@ddletb.ie
