This dissertation explores adult basic education in the Republic of Ireland. ABE is seen to be closely related to international interest in the notion of lifelong learning. The literature surrounding this notion is reviewed in detail in order to outline a conception of ABE that is both appropriate to the Irish context and wider international concern. Recent developments have led to increased Government funding, recognition and a commitment under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 to expand the ABE service within the Republic. It is argued however that this plan is not entirely coherent and that there is a dearth of research about and within the service. This dissertation aims to outline the extent of that incoherence and to go someway towards remedying the purported dearth. The first research element of the dissertation is a survey of ABE practitioners and follow up interviews. This highlights priority issues for the service and provides an overview of the way the service is currently and could in the future be organised. The second element concerns government policy towards ABE. There appears to be a shift in focus from a holistic approach to a more economic one. From what is discovered from the survey, interviews, literature review and policy critique an attempt is made to make recommendations for future development and future areas of research in the Irish context.