The Learner Fund was first launched in 2013 but allocations have not taken place on a simple year by year basis, rather new phases of the Learner Fund have been launched on the basis of gauged demand and need in the Early Years sector.
Since 2013, there have been four phases of funding for further education courses in Early Childhood Care and Education accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), and two phases of funding for those in the Early Years sector who have pursued degree relevant degree programmes (in the form of a bursary payment). The total amount of allocated over all phases of funding is 4.2 million. The following table offers a breakdown of funding allotted to each phase.
Allocation
|
Learner Fund 1
|
Learner Fund 2
|
Learner Fund 3
|
Learner Fund 4
|
Bursary 2017 (R1)
|
Bursary 2017 (R2)
|
Total
|
Total
|
€1,299,604
|
€838,807
|
€406,283
|
€915,280
|
€621,000
|
€162,750
|
€4,243,724
|
The total amount allocated for this fund in 2018 is 2 million.