AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation, today launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2027, Investment Where It Matters Most, calling on Government to make adult learning a priority in Budget 2027. The submission sets out five practical, costed recommendations to strengthen Further Education and Training (FET) and community education, remove barriers to learning and ensure no learner is left behind. 

Investment in adult learning is essential to creating a more equal and inclusive Ireland and delivering on Government’s commitment to a to support a caring society. At a time of rising living costs and increasing demand for education, targeted investment can expand opportunity, strengthen communities and ensure that those furthest behind are not left behind. 

More than 224,000 people take part in Further Education and Training each year – a learner population roughly equivalent to the combined populations of Galway City, Waterford City and Kilkenny City. Despite representing almost 45% of all tertiary learners in Ireland, the sector continues to receive a disproportionately smaller share of investment than higher education. 

One in five of these FET learners take part in community education, a unique form of adult learning that provides trusted, local learning opportunities for adults who are often excluded from mainstream education, including people experiencing poverty, people with disabilities, lone parents, carers, migrants and members of the Traveller and Roma communities. 

AONTAS research shows that community education is a proven, learner-centred approach that transforms lives, strengthens communities and tackles disadvantage. Budget 2027 must invest in learners and providers in community education, and the wider FET sector. 

The Pre-Budget Submission was launched at Leinster House with Minister James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Speaking at the launch, Dearbháil Lawless, CEO of AONTAS, said: 

“Adult learning has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities and create a more equal society. But too many adults continue to face barriers to learning because of financial pressures, inadequate learner supports and underinvestment in community education. Budget 2027 is an opportunity to change that. 

“Our Pre-Budget Submission sets out practical, evidence-based recommendations that will remove barriers to participation and ensure that adult learning is recognised as the vital public investment it is. When we invest in the people furthest behind, everyone benefits.” 

The Pre-Budget Submission sets out five practical, costed recommendations for Budget 2027: 

• Invest in Further Education and Training 

• Provide ringfenced, multi-annual funding for community education  

• Reform learner financial supports and establish a FET Learner Assistance Fund  

• Extend the Fund for Learners with Disabilities across all FET provision  

• Establish a Shared Island Community Education Fund 

The recommendations are designed to remove barriers to participation, strengthen community-based learning and support the delivery of Government commitments on lifelong learning and social inclusion.  

Budget 2027 is an opportunity to invest where it matters most. By investing in adult learning, Government can remove barriers to participation, strengthen communities and create opportunities for people across Ireland. When we invest in the people furthest behind, everyone benefits. 

The full AONTAS Pre-Budget Submission 2027 – Investment Where It Matters Most is available here. 

ENDS 

For more information, contact: 
Megan Fearon, Head of Impact and Engagement 
mfearon@aontas.com  

About AONTAS 
AONTAS are Ireland’s National Adult Learning Organisation. Since 1969, we have been advancing social justice through adult learning by bringing the voices and experiences of learners and communities into policy, research and practice. Working with our members, adult learners, community education providers, government and European partners, we advocate for an inclusive adult learning system that supports meaningful participation, and enables people and communities to shape change across the island of Ireland.