Minister Buttimer launches Skills for Life programme to be delivered by public libraries
-
From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 10 September 2025
- Last updated on: 25 September 2025
- Minister Jerry Buttimer launches Skills for Life Programme
- Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht provides funding of €200k to support the programme
- public libraries partner with Media Literacy Ireland to train over 50 librarians as Media Literacy Champions
- 18,000 people expected to attend almost 900 events that are planned nationwide
Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer, has today (Wednesday, 10 September) launched the Skills for Life programme, which will be delivered by all public library services.
The Skills for Life programme is a key commitment in the Public Library Strategy and it will equip individuals with essential skills to navigate modern life. The programme will be available across all 30 local authority library services and will offer support in six key areas:
- Basic Digital Skills
- Financial Literacy
- Media Literacy
- Business and Employment Skills
- Health Awareness
- Sustainable Lifestyles and Environmental Awareness
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht is providing funding of €200,000, through the Dormant Accounts Fund, to support almost 900 events that will take place nationwide this year, and to raise awareness of the programme.
Speaking at the launch of the Skills for Life programme in the LexIcon in Dún Laoghaire, Minister Buttimer said:
“I am delighted to be here today to launch the Skills for Life programme which will be delivered through our public libraries. This programme is part of a nationwide effort to help those with unmet literacy needs build the skills they need to navigate the changing world successfully and to take advantage of new opportunities.
"This programme shows what can be achieved when we work together, across all of our departments, agencies, and local authorities, with a shared goal of supporting people in their everyday lives.
"My department, the Local Government Management Agency, our City and County Librarians, and the Skills for Life Working Group have shaped a programme that is both strategic and responsive to local needs. I am sure that the collaboration across sectors will continue to strengthen in the years ahead so that libraries can continue to connect people with the right supports at the right time.”
The Skills for Life National Steering Group will oversee the ongoing development and effective implementation of the programme across public libraries at a national level. The National Steering Group includes representation from the key stakeholders involved in the coordination and delivery of the programme, including various government departments.
Gillian Allen, Chair of the Local Government Agency National Programmes Committee and Kildare County Librarian said:
"As places where people can safely gather to learn, grow, and access resources that support their personal development, libraries play a central role within our communities. Every day, we help individuals build skills, whether it’s learning to use technology, improving job prospects, or accessing reliable health information. The Skills for Life programme strengthens the role of libraries as essential support services, helping people take meaningful steps toward new opportunities. Through this programme, and with the rollout of nearly 900 events nationwide, Libraries Ireland is delighted to work alongside government and partner agencies to ensure everyone has access to skills that can truly make a difference in their lives.”
Notes
Skills for Life programme
The Skills for Life programme is a nationwide initiative aimed at equipping individuals with essential skills to navigate modern life. Available across all 30 local authority library services in Ireland, the programme will offer support in six key areas:
- Basic Digital Skills
- Financial Literacy
- Media Literacy
- Business and Employment Skills
- Health Awareness
- Sustainable Lifestyles and Environmental Awareness
The programme’s core objective is to provide equitable access, across all library services, to resources, workshops, and training that foster lifelong learning, personal development, and community engagement. It is expected that nearly 900 events will take place in public libraries during 2025.
The programme will also align with the following key national strategies:
- Adult Literacy for Life Strategy
- Climate Action Plan 2025 (CAP25), Government of Ireland
- National Skills Strategy 2025, Department of Education and Skills
- National Financial Literacy Strategy 2025-2029, Department of Finance
- Digital for Good: Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (2023)
- Pathways to Work 2021-2025, Department of Social Protection
- * Future FET: Transforming Learning 2020-2024, SOLAS
- * Healthy Ireland Framework 2013-2025, Department of Health
Public Library Strategy
The Public Library Strategy was published in July 2023 by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG), the County and City Management Association, and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). It outlines 66 actions designed to transform public libraries into multi-purpose social and educational hubs. Centred around the themes of People, Spaces, and Connections, the strategy is implemented by local authorities with support from the LGMA and DRCD. Today’s launch delivers on Action 20 in the Strategy which commits to the development of a national Skills for Life umbrella programme of resources and activities which will be available through all library authorities.
Other actions in the Strategy that are relevant to the Skills for Life programme are:
- Action 9: We will work with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; SOLAS; the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA); Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and other stakeholders to implement the Adult Literacy for Life strategy through library activities
- Action 21: We will work with the Department of Education; the Department of Finance; the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research,Innovation and Science; the Department of Health; the Department of Social Protection; the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer; Media Literacy Ireland; Age Friendly Ireland and all other relevant agencies to support Skills for Life and continue the provision of specific programming, technology and facilities for disadvantaged and marginalised library users
- Action 41: A new national media literacy programme for staff and users will be developed and rolled out