Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
146. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any efforts are being made to accelerate the approval process for Reach funding to enable applicants to plan community education programmes in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22030/24]
View answerThe Reach Fund supports educationally disadvantaged learners to access and participate in community education. It is administered at a local level through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who advertise the Fund inviting Community education providers to apply for funding for eligible projects. SOLAS issues annual guidelines for the operation of the Fund and approves an allocation for ETB for the Fund. The 2024 Guidelines requested ETBs to complete their funding calls by end March 2024.
SOLAS has confirmed to my Department that all of the ETBs have completed their funding calls for 2024 and it will be providing details of the approved projects to my Department shortly.
