Education

€225k allocated to provide supports to disadvantaged learners

Education

Published: Mon 13 Dec 2021, 12:02 PM

Last updated: Mon 13 Dec 2021, 12:06 PM

Local community education groups have been granted almost €225,000 in additional funding to support disadvantaged learners.

Among the local projects to receive a funding boost under the latest tranche of the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF) are the Muiriosa Foundation (€34,951), Killucan Area Services (€15,513) and Women's Community Projects Mullingar (€12,731).

The MAEDF was established in 2020 to help educationally disadvantaged learners to continue to access services online during the pandemic by supplying digital devices and providing other supports. Managed by Solas, to date over 500 community education projects across the country have been funded through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

The latest funding announcement has been welcomed by Minister of State Peter Burke.

“We have seen how technology has become so vital to learning during the pandemic, and it will be a fantastic tool into the future to allow students and young people learn on the go and at home when necessary. However, there is a divide in society and it’s clear that many groups do not have the same access to technology and there is a real danger that these people could be left behind”.

CEO of SOLAS, Andrew Brownlee, said: “When it comes to the transformative power of education, it is often said that those who are left furthest behind must be reached first. The Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund does just that, by providing much-needed funding at a local level to directly address the causes and outcomes of the most disadvantaged learners in Ireland. The great work done around Ireland by ETBs and community partners, enabled by the MAEDF, tackles adult literacy issues and re-engages learners with education - and provides this support in digital-first ways that meets the complex needs of the learners at hand.

“COVID-19 highlighted significant social issues across our communities, and it’s vital that these issues do not remain with us long-term. Importantly, the MAEDF targets funding on digital infrastructure, which is more needed than ever in post-pandemic Irish society.”

The local projects funded are:

-Muiriosa Foundation - €34,951

-Women's Community Projects Mullingar - €13,643

-Westmeath Community Development - €12,731

-Bridgeways Family Resource Centre - €7,825

-Killucan Area Services - €15,513

-Horticulture Project Belvedere - €3,500

-Cara Phort Family Resource Centre - €8,926

-Irish Wheelchair Association Kenagh and Athlone - €3,519

-MQI CE Drug Rehabilitation Scheme - €6,343

-Athlone Community Training Centre - €15,841

-Longford Community Resources - €7,706