€140k allocated to support educationally disadvantaged learners in Louth and Meath
Designed to support and engage with disadvantaged learners who have highest level of need
Louth and Meath ETB (LMETB) is to receive €140,000 in funding to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing and participating in community education, it was announced on Monday by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris.
It is part of a €5 million funding package announced by the Minister, issued under the Reach Fund to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) that is designed to support and engage with disadvantaged learners who have the highest level of need.
The funding can be used to assist learners with transport or education costs, funding on access to technology and devices, expanding community access to Wi‐Fi and broadband resources.
Around the country, the projects supported by the Reach Fund helped to support online learning, connect communities and providing social supports to the most vulnerable groups.
These priority cohorts include:
- long-term unemployed people
- young people
- people with disabilities
- members of the Traveller and Roma communities
- migrants and refugees
- women wishing to return to the labour market
- lone parents
Commenting on the funding, Minister Harris said: "The success of the Reach Fund over the past three years has been so important. Originally introduced in 2020 to support the most disadvantaged learners throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was critical in reconnecting with the most disadvantaged learners around the country.
“It continues to support community education partners make sure that these learners are not left behind. As we launch the Year of Skills, it is vital every adult has the necessary literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to engage in society and realise their potential. The Reach Fund has achieved so much, and I am excited to see what important and valuable projects it supports this year."