The donation of new classrooms to the adult literacy scheme in Dun Laoghaire opens up the possibility for student numbers to be doubled. The classrooms are in the Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin, and they are the result of three-way co-operation between the school, the Southside Partnership and the VEC.

"The school gave us the space and the Partnership and the VEC funded the renovations," says Liz Dalton, literacy organiser for the Dun Laoghaire area. "We're absolutely thrilled with the space. It's the first time we have an office - I used to do it all of the administration from home - and it's the first time we will be able to offer daytime classes to people.

"In our new premises we have a fully equipped office, a computer room, classroom and creche facilities. We will be offering literacy, maths and computer training to our students. We also prepare people for Junior Cert, Leaving Cert and for NCVA awards."

At present the scheme has 56 tutors - 50 volunteers who give two hours a week and six part-time teachers who work with the exam classes. "We have about 125 students, but we'll be able to double this with the new classrooms. Our normal evening classes will continue at the Community College in Cumberland Street," Dalton says.