Vital funding allocated to support educationally disadvantaged learners to Kildare and Wicklow ETB

SOLAS, the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training (FET), has today announced over €100,000 in allocated funding to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) to support community groups in 2024. This is part of €5 million national Reach Funding, which aims to enhance educational opportunities for marginalised groups.

The funding will be used to support various local projects to facilitate community education, including digital learning, literacy, and basic skills programmes. Beneficiaries of this funding include Athy Breakout Art Group, multiple Men’s and Women’s Sheds, Traveller groups, Mental Health Wicklow Kildare, Down Syndrome programmes, Tinehely Active Retirement, Monasterevin Community Centre, and Knockananna Women’s Group, among others. These initiatives are working to connect communities, provide social support, and enhance learning opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Minister Patrick O’Donovan, TD, commented on the importance of Reach Funding, stated, “The impact of Reach Funding over the past four years is evident. Originally introduced in 2020 to support the most disadvantaged learners throughout the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it now provides important funds to assist Kildare and Wicklow ETB and community education providers to increase their capacity and ensure that they can support the participation of disadvantaged learners within their communities.”

A spokesperson for Kildare and Wicklow ETB added, “We are delighted with the budget allocation to support community education providers in our region. The funding will make a significant impact on improving access to learning opportunities and building digital infrastructure to support diverse communities.”

Since 2020, thousands of beneficiaries across the country have been supported by Reach Funding. This funding has empowered learners, built digital infrastructures to foster inclusion, and supported the development of safe learning spaces, addressing the digital divide and strengthening learning communities.

CEO of SOLAS, Andrew Brownlee said, “Community education plays a critical and unique role in the FET system, and in local communities in Kildare and Wicklow, and across Ireland. It offers local, accessible, and welcoming learning opportunities for individuals which can support them to achieve their personal, social, and educational goals. We are delighted to continue to offer Reach funding in 2024 and we have seen first-hand the difference that it is making through KWETB and across the country to support those who need it the most.

Since 2020, over 2,300 individual projects have been supported through Reach Funding and demand is growing year on year. This is testament to the incredible work that is happening at local level by ETBs and community partners as they work to tackle barriers that prevent learners from accessing education and support them to re-engage and participate with local provision.”