Supportive Resources in Adult Education

Continuing or returning to education can be an intimidating, uncertain and pricey process. There are many bodies and organisations available to make the transition as painless as possible; here are a few to keep in mind…

Back To Education Initiative (BTEI)

The BTEI provides support to those who have not completed their second level education. The emphasis is on education on a part time basis. Beneficiaries of the scheme have an opportunity to learn without other responsibilities like family or work being affected. It covers a diverse range of courses: from those wishing to return to do their Leaving Cert, to adult literacy programmes and modules in business and computing.

Since 2007, all those without the Leaving Certificate are entitled to free BTEI tuition. Those who are in receipt unemployment payments and medical cardholders are also entitled to free tuition. Enrolling in a BTEI course will not affect social welfare payments. Contact the Adult Education Officer of your local VEC (www.ivea.ie) for details.

Funding

Social Welfare Office

Funds are often available for people enrolling in part-time education who have been unemployed for a specified period.
Unemployment benefit can be maintained so long as part-time education does not interfere with your availability to work. Contact your local office (www.welfare.ie) for details.

The Millennium Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged

A scheme designed to financially assist students in further or higher education that live in disadvantaged areas. The amount allocated is determined by each individual case. Applications should be made to your local partnership/community group. 
 
Charities

Non-governmental organisations concerned with social justice may also be able to provide financial assistance and personal support. For example, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul offers education grants to those from disadvantaged backgrounds and assists lone parents with childcare while they are getting the training they need to gain employment.

FÁS

FÁS provides training and employment programmes designed to meet specific employment needs. Part-time courses for job seekers and traineeship programmes are listed on their web site at www.fas.ie.  FÁS provides financial support in the form of allowances to assist participants of training courses.
 
Employers

Employers will often pay the fees for an evening course, so long as the subject matter is related to the employee’s role within an organisation. Contact your boss for details!

Tax Relief

Tax relief can only be sought by students who are funding their studies with their own income. Contact your local Revenue Office to get the IT31 Form or visit www.revenue.ie.

Course Provider

Some course providers will offer discounts on course fees to learners who are in financial difficulties or over a certain age (e.g. over 55). Contact the relevant college to see if they provide this option.

Childcare

If you’re going back to education and you’ve got children, you may be able to benefit from financial assistance with childcare. If you’re attending a FÁS, YouthReach (www.youthreach.ie) or VTOS (www.vtos.ie) course there is the possibility of receiving a childcare allowance.

Every Irish county has a childcare committee that provides information on every facet of childcare to the local community. Contact details for each committee is available on www.justice.ie.

More information can be found at www.childcare.ie - Ireland’s national childcare directory.

Further Resources

AONTAS - Irish National Association of Adult Education

A voluntary body which seeks the improvement of adult and community education; it also provides an information referral service. Go to www.aontas.com.

AEGI (Adult Education Guidance Initiative)

A free guidance service provided by every VEC in the country that advises people of their educational and career options, and also helps them overcome barriers to participating in adult education. Find your local provider in the Adult Education section of www.ncge.ie.

NALA (National Adult Literacy Agency)

NALA is concerned with helping adults with literacy and numeracy difficulties as well as improving their personal development. It also represents the needs of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners and those with learning difficulties. The NALA in-service training programme has over 1,000 participants, more details can be found at www.nala.ie.

Finding a Course

www.nightcourses.com - Ireland's leading resource for Evening Classes & Adult Education.

www.corporatetraining.ie - Corporate training and education programmes

www.postgrad.ie - The largest database of postgraduate courses available online