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17 Jan 2025

Draft Programme for Government includes a welcome commitment to review financial supports for adult learners, but no mention of community education

Graphic reads Progress! A review of financial supports for adult learners and the promotion of access to education and lifelong learning are included in the draft Programme for Government

The draft Programme for Government has been published and we welcome the pledge to “review financial supports for adult learners, and promote access to education and lifelong learning” – a line from our Manifesto and the core focus of our recent Holding You Back campaign, and a clear positive impact of our work bringing about change with decisionmakers in our sector.

However, there is no commitment to reform financial supports outright, and we at AONTAS will continue to seek to influence Government for follow-through on this in future budgets.  

 As an integral part of Ireland’s education system, we are disappointed to see no mention of community education in this document, especially given that it was specifically mentioned in 2020.  

The Programme for Government outlines a commitment to “use education to break down barriers for groups at risk of exclusion,” which resonates with AONTAS’ ongoing focus, particularly in addressing online disinformation and discrimination.

At AONTAS, we uphold the values of respect, equality, and dignity for all in all aspects of our work. We hope that members of the new Government will embrace these principles.

By doing so, they can represent everyone in our society and show the leadership that is so urgently needed at this time. 

Greater focus on community education needed 

We do welcome the pledge for “fair and equal access to quality further and higher education regardless of socioeconomic status, ability or geographical location”, as well as the goal of “ensuring our communities thrive and making our villages, towns and cities safer; to support a caring society and to continue the focus on addressing poverty and social exclusion.” Increased recognition and support for community education would be a direct way to achieve this goal.  

This PfG states that “fair and equal access to quality further and higher education regardless of socioeconomic status, ability or geographical location will be a hallmark of this Government’s approach to the Further and Higher Education sector.”

Unfortunately, the focus is still on investment in further and higher education to achieve the Government’s “ambition of delivering sustainable economic growth.”  

It indicates the goal of addressing “the key skill challenges” and “technology and work practices”. While it mentions supporting local communities, the emphasis is on “talent for our economy” and employers.  

There is also an intention to “close the core funding gap by unlocking the National Training Fund”. The Government must use the NTF to make our education system equitable.

It should be used to support adults with lower levels of educational attainment to take up learning opportunities. A focus on programmes at levels 1 to 4 on the National Framework for Qualifications would be a welcome shift. 

The continued focus on economic development, skills, and employers, is at odds with the PfG’s stated recognition of the need for “a caring society”, and to address poverty and exclusion.

This caring, equal, safe society will not exist without community education.  

Investment in public services needs to be prioritised 

However, we do welcome the commitment of “investing further in a world class education system and affordable, accessible and high-quality childcare; improving transport services; and providing better healthcare”. These are all issues that we have been addressing in recent our submissions, including our pre-budget submission, and our research publications.  

We know from our members, from our research insights, and from adult learners, that the lack of childcare, public transport, and mental health supports – in addition to other chronic issues like unaffordable housing and rising rents – are central to ongoing inequalities in our education system.  

When it comes to transport, the PfG states that the Government “aims toexpand school transport service to include 100,000 additional students by 2030”, and refers to a focus and investment in rural transport links.

While the emphasis here is on students who are under 18, we believe this expansion should include Further Education and Training (FET) and adult education – as they are core parts of our education system. We will be advocating for these developments to align with the needs of the local communities, and with timetables and services for adults. The voices of adult learners and education providers will be essential to success here.  

When it comes to Learner (or Student) Voice, AONTAS lead the largest Learner Voice research programme for adults in Europe, and we note the PfG’s aim to “continue to support and promote the development of student councils in schools to give students a voice in decision-making.” This should not be limited to schools, but across all aspects of our education system, including Learner Voice Councils from local communities all across the country.  

Pay and conditions for staff and workers  

One of our asks was for fair pay and conditions for staff. This is particularly essential in the adult and community education sector, where staff turnover is high due to insecure and unstable contracts. The PfG does state it will “work with the voluntary sector through industrial relations mechanisms and other processes to progress pay issues” which, while lacking in clarity, provides the basis for further advocacy work.  

Other aspects of the document that are relevant to our sector include the aim for free part-time courses to be expanded, an expansion of third-level pathways outside the Leaving Certificate points system, and a promise to increase maintenance grants and reform SUSI, as well as examining a placement grant for students on mandatory placements.  

Childcare as a key issue 

When it comes to childcare, we have supported the call for a public model, which does not seem to be an aim for this next Government.

While they do state the aim to “build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system with State-led facilities,” the focus is on “public, private and community provision, as well as childminders” and a pledge to "progressively reduce" childcare to €200 a month per child through the National Childcare Scheme, as well as to “explore options” for a cap on childcare costs for large families.

This falls short of the goals of a public childcare model, which would ensure that the State helps people who are most in need of support.  

We note the aim to “expand the provision of after-school and childcare in school buildings and campuses, in tandem with the school building programme, to provide better access for parents and communities” and will be continuing to highlight the need for adult and community education to be included in this approach.  

We also welcome the pledge to phase out the means test for carers over the next five years, as well as increased supports for people with disabilities.  

All of this – if followed through and approached from a person-centred perspective rather than in terms of skills and jobs – would make a huge difference to the lives of those who face the most barriers to education.  

The digital divide and equal access to learning  

Much of our work and research has demonstrated the impact of the digital divide on people in Ireland, particularly for older learners and those from under-resourced communities. We are glad to see the Government’s stated aim of equipping “learners of all ages and abilities to participate and succeed in a changing world.”

They intend to “implement an eInclusion Strategy to ensure no one is left behind by the move to a digital society”.  

However, we want to ensure that this focuses not just on developments like AI for innovation, employment, and trade, but also for our communities and for more vulnerable groups of people.  

More to come

We expect further announcements in the coming days about the formation of the next Government, including the future of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.

Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for more updates.  

Read our Manifesto for Change here.  

Learn about our Holding You Back campaign