ESRI: 25% of adults have some difficulty with literacy and numeracy

on 24/09/2012 08:40:25

About one in four Irish adults have some level of difficulty with literacy and numeracy, according to new research by the ESRI.

The study also shows that having problems with reading and writing is likely to reduce your earning power by about 5%.

The data has been published to mark the start of National Adult Literacy Awareness Week.

Inez Bailey, Director of the National Adult Literacy Agency, said although people tend to hide their literacy issues, there is a lot of help out there.

Ms Bailey said: "I think people think that they may be the only person that has this dufficulty but research evidence shows that it is actually quite prevalent.

"We are highlighting the importance of these skills in the workplace and so if anybody who is an employee would like to address the numeracy and literacy issues, we are highlighting the availability of free services throughout Ireland."