Our research has found that the high cost of education is preventing adults in Ireland from learning.
Full-time further education and training costs are €10,000 per academic year, according to research by Indecon.
Almost 1 in 3 adults we surveyed said they need more financial support.
41% said they are dissatisfied with the supports they receive for finance, childcare, transport, and meals.
Our ‘Holding You Back’ campaignRunning from Monday 2nd September – Friday 6th September, this campaign shows the barriers to learning that are holding people back from the education and the life they want.
Our research shows that the high cost of education is preventing adults in Ireland from going back to or staying in education.
Almost 1 in 3 adults we surveyed said they need more financial support.
We have heard from adult learners who have been forced to choose between heating their homes and funding their education, leaving their courses to pay for their rent, and sleeping in vans due to unaffordable accommodation.
There are also stereotypes and stigmas that prevent people from learning, such as racism or ageism.
We are calling on the Irish Government to remove the financial barriers to learning that are holding people back.
They can do this by increasing food, travel, and accommodation allowances for adult learners; increasing social welfare payments in line with the real cost of living; and creating one source of information on financial supports.
Learning should be a realistic option for everyone, from any background and at any age.
Our campaign will include a national media and social media campaign, directing people to get involved by heading to aontas.com/holdingyouback
Join the conversation on social media with the hashtag #HoldingYouBack