Journal of Social Science Education (Jan 2019)

Funding community education in Ireland

  • Conor Joseph Magrath,
  • Camilla Fitzsimons

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4119/jsse-1514
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 4

Abstract

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- The term community education refers to organised adult education that happens outside of schools and colleges and is local. - The study uncovers growing uncertainty in terms of funding for community education in Ireland. - The once vibrant Community and Voluntary sector is still rooted amidst the local politicised activism that grows from ordinary people’s dissatisfaction with the status quo. Purpose: This report captures the experiences of 56 participating community education organisations across Ireland and aims to uncover trends and issues in funding models. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-methods research was undertaken in three phases. Phase one involved an online- survey, which asked about primary and secondary sources of funding, ease of administration, access and sustainability. Phase two consisted of one-to-one interviews with self-selected providers and in phase three, we returned to the participants of phase two with targeted questions specifically relating to the pressures to merge with nonindependent, state providers of community education. Findings: A disconnect between funders and providers, has been highlighted. Particularly the outcomes based funding model, which prioritises jobs activation over social inclusion. Funding is seen as restrictive, anti-innovative, bureaucratic and non-transparent. Practical implications: A need for sustainable, multi-annual funding has been identified, with providers looking for greater acknowledgement and recognition of the vital role and true value of community education in Irish society.

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