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AONTAS Update...
27th April 2010 Issue Number 31 Welcome Welcome to the AONTAS Update! The AONTAS Update is a weekly resource designed to keep members informed about current lifelong learning issues as well as what’s happening in AONTAS! Please let us know what you think of the bulletin by taking a short survey here.
Weekly Survey Do you agree with the action the Government have taken to take away the availability of a Maintenance Grant for students on the BTEA who are Don’t forget that next CEN meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th May entering full time, third level from 9.45am - 2pm in The Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick Street, courses? Dublin 7. Places are limited so please confirm your attendance by Friday 30th April. Email dlarkin@aontas.com or phone 01 4068220.To download Let us know by clicking here. the agenda for the meeting click here Each week, we will include a The Update will be e-mailed to members every Tuesday afternoon. If you short poll / survey in the have difficulty viewing the Update in your e-mail window, download as a AONTAS Update. This is just PDF by clicking here. Members are very welcome to contribute and if you one opportunity for members have anything for inclusion, please e-mail it to Eleonora Peruffo to let us know your opinions on the current issues! (eperuffo@aontas.com) by 5pm on Monday afternoon.
POLICY Adult Education News Statistics Politics
PROMOTION
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
Events Publications & Websites
AONTAS News Membership News
Information Referral Service Education & Training Opportunities
POLICY ADULT EDUCATION NEWS
STATISTICS
Plan for half UCD students to come from outside CAO Just half of UCD students will come through the CAO system in the future, the university believes. The Dublin-based university plans to increase its intake of 'non-traditional' college goers -- such as mature and part-time students, those with disabilities, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. UCD aims to increase its intake of such students from 17pc to 25pc by 2014. The university also plans to increase its proportion of international students from 17pc at present to 25pc by 2014 -- many of whom will be full fee-paying students from outside the European Union. Irish Independent, 21st April 2010 Anonymous tip-off revealed VEC debt The VEC had borrowed the equivalent of €216,000, which it gave to a private company, Mobile Voyager Solutions. This was to fund computergenerated learning aids to Glanmire Community College. Only €54,000 was returned to the VEC before the company dissolved, leaving the VEC to pay the outstanding €164,000 itself. It is not yet clear why the VEC sourced the funding to pass it on to a contractor. The Department of Education’s secretary general, Brigid McManus, said there were a number of potential problems with the mechanics of the deal, and the fact it was not informed sooner. Irish Examiner, 21st April 2010
Unemployment Statistics Live Register (LR) adjusted = 433,000 March 2010 Redundancies year to date = 17,908 March 2010 LR Standardised Unemployment Rate = 13,4% March 2010 Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) Unemployment Rate adjusted = 13.1% Dec ‘09 Visit www.inou.ie for more information.
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POLITICS BTEA & Access Course Update – PQ 20th April 2010 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science if she will allow students who have spent the current academic year participating in an access course at a higher education institution to be viewed as continuing students and not as new applicants for the back to education allowance to ensure that they can remain eligible for the higher education maintenance grant in addition to the back to education allowance payment in Autumn 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15530/10] Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science (Deputy Mary Coughlan): The Deputy will be aware that the current difficult economic circumstances have necessitated tough choices to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In these circumstances, from September 2010, as announced in the Budget, all new applicants who are in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), and the VTOS allowances for those pursuing PLC courses, will be ineligible for student maintenance grants. The cost of the student services charge and any fees payable to colleges will continue to be met for eligible students by the Exchequer on their behalf. Students currently in receipt of the BTEA or VTOS allowances and the maintenance grant will continue to be eligible for both payments for the duration of their current course provided they continue to meet the terms
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and conditions of the relevant grant schemes. Students progressing to a new course with effect from 2010/11 will no longer be eligible for student maintenance grants but can apply for assistance towards the cost of the student services charge and any fees payable. It was decided to discontinue the practice of allowing students to hold both the BTEA or VTOS allowance and a student maintenance grant simultaneously as this represents a duplication of income support payments. Access/foundation courses are not approved courses under the terms and conditions of the maintenance grant schemes and students on an access course in the 2009/10 academic year would not be in receipt of a student maintenance grant. In addition, progression from an access course to a degree course is not a continuation of the same course and therefore students progressing from an access course to an approved course would not be eligible to hold the BTEA and a student maintenance grant for the 2010/11 academic year onwards.
****** February 2010 - Adult Education: A Current Diagnosis & Measures for Recovery As part of the Adult Learners' Festival 2010, Lobby for Learning Day AONTAS invited education spokespeople together with the Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey to hear firsthand about a service that is overstretched and struggling to cope with the current demand from adults for education and training. At "The Adult Education Clinic" Minister for Lifelong Learning, Sean Haughey, along with Green Party TD Paul Gogarty, Fine Gael TD Brian Hayes, and Cllr Aodhan O Riordain from the Labour Party re-created the format of a constituency clinic in order to hear from providers on the ground, as well as adult learners accessing the services. Adult Education: A Current Diagnosis & Measures for Recovery, a short paper illustrating the current demand for adult education and three measures for recovery, was launched at the event. For AONTAS policy updates, please visit www.aontas.com/policy
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PROMOTION Events USI – Meeting on Back to Education Allowance
PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES
Prior to the last Budget, mature students who were receiving the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) also qualified to receive the Maintenance Grant. In Budget 2010, the Government have taken away the availability of a Maintenance Grant for students on the BTEA who are entering full time, third level courses. USI have planned a public meeting regarding this disgraceful attack on lifelong learning and education. This meeting will take place next Wednesday, April 28th at 6pm, in DIT Cathal Brugha Street. Speakers will include Brian Hayes (Fine Gael Spokesperson on Education), Kieran Allen (SIPTU), Prof. Kathleen Lynch (Professor of Equality Studies in UCD) and a student directly affected by this issue. AONTAS Director, Berni Brady will chair the meeting.
****** Intergenerational Learning Project The conference will showcase past and current work from the perspective of older learners, DCU student volunteers and the academic community, and will include workshops on three themes central to the project: well being for older and younger learners, integrating senior learners in thirdlevel education, and uses and benefits of ICT and social media for older learners. These workshops will be led by experts in the field, and participants will be drawn from current and prospective learners, DCU students, academics and interested stakeholders. Click here to view their Google, Blog and Twitter sites. There are a limited number of places available. The Closing date is Friday 30th April. Click here for registration.
Many Happy Returns AONTAS have recently published a short booklet chartering the organisations 40 year history (1969 – 2009). For your copy, please contact Ciara Murphy, Resource & Communications Officer at cmurphy@aontas.com ******
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MEMBERSHIP AONTAS NEWS Community Education Network Due to the high level of interest for a Dublin meeting it will be held here again. In response to the other locations suggested meetings/seminars will be planned at a regional level over the course of the year. A full agenda is available here. This event will be the main consultative space for the Position Paper on the Funding Mechanisms for Community Education. We would encourage you to attend this event. Please confirm your attendance by Friday 30th April confirming if you are staying for lunch and if you have dietary requirements. After the meeting there will be the opportunity to engage in a focus group with Liam McGlynn regarding: Worth the Struggle: reflecting on community education and its contribution to social justice in a decade of change 20002010. It is on after lunch from 2.00pm-3.30pm (Please confirm your attendance separately - maximum of 8 people). For further information contact dlarkin@aontas.com.
AONTAS MEMBERSHIP Over 550 learners, tutors, adult education coordinators, managers, policy makers and many other interested organisations and individuals avail of the many benefits of AONTAS Any organisation, group or
Date: Wednesday 5th May 2010 Time: 9.45am – 2.00pm Venue: The Carmichael Centre, North Brunswick St, Dublin 7 Email: dlarkin@aontas.com or phone 01 4068220. Website: http://www.aontas.com/commed/networkcen.html ******* Creating a Logo for Senior Learning! Wednesday, 26 th May 2010 The next Senior Learner Network Meeting will take place on Wednesday 26th May in Dublin, during the Bealtaine Festival . One of the proposed actions will help address manifesto point 2: Creating and distribute information on the learning opportunities for older learners in every community – is the creation of a logo which identifies that the course is aimed at older people. Therefore this will be the basis for the next meeting as it moves on implementing the manifesto and is also creative, because the learners will create the logo, and therefore fits into the criteria of the Bealtaine festival.
individual that is involved, or interested, in adult and community education may apply for membership. If you feel that you would benefit both in your practice and personally from AONTAS join our vibrant organisation today!
Please contact Dympna at 01 4068220or write to 83-87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 or email dlarkin@aontas.com. ****** AONTAS AGM Materials for the upcoming AONTAS Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 19th May 2010 have been posted to all members today. The AGM takes place at 10:00am in the Clarion Hotel, IFSC, Dublin 1. The main focus of this year’s meeting is an initial consultation process to kickstart the development of the next strategic plan. Please complete the booking form included in the pack and return before Wednesday, 12th May 2010 to Dympna Larkin, Membership Liaison Officer, 2nd Floor, 83-87 Main St, Ranelagh, D6. If you require any further information please contact
Niamh O’Reilly noreilly@aontas.com ******
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INFORMATION EDUCATION & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
INFORMATION REFERRAL SERVICE
CELT (Centre for Environmental Living & Training) Weekend in the Woods, Bealkelly Oak Woods, Tuamgraney, Co Clare 8th/9th May 2010 . Due to the sudden passing 19 Traditional Skills & Heritage Crafts including youngsters courses (8yrs +). away of Jennifer Gunning, Courses include: Needle Felting / Longbow Making / Pole-lathe Construction AONTAS Information and
/ Herblore / Sugan Chair / Greenwood Furniture / Leatherwork / Fishing for Research Officer, the Beginners / Dry Stone Walling / Woodcarving / Silversmithing / Felting / service is suspended until Natural Building / Basketry / Blacksmithing / Spinning & Weaving / further notice. Coppersmithing / Stonecarving / Woodcrafts & Felting & Rustic Art for 814yrs. ****** Rustic Restaurant, Cafe-in-the-Woods, free camping and car park, sheltered workshop spaces, evening music and song around the campfire. Cost: €120 (€100 euro for youngsters) + €15 annual membership See www.celtnet.org for detailed info & online booking Email:info@celtnet.org Tel : 061 640765
****** Change Your Life Education Fund National College of Ireland has teamed up with Metro Herald and Ireland AM to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change your life, upgrade your skills and acquire the qualifications and confidence to succeed. The winner will earn an amazing prize package including an educational fund worth €20,000 and €15,000 in other supports, like personal mentoring, computer equipment and even a style package worth €1,000. Contestants just need to answer one simple question: Why do you want to change your life, and how could education help? Now in its second year, the competition is open to anyone aged 18 and older and resident in the Republic of Ireland. Contestants can download an application form and the contest terms and conditions from this site. All applications must be in English or Irish, and must be submitted no later than 5.00pm on Friday July 23rd. An adjudication panel will shortlist applicants and the shortlist will be published this August. Finalists will be interviewed and the winner will be notified by Friday, August 27th. Web: http://www.ncirl.ie/News/Change_Your_Life_Education_Fund
****** Information Booklet If you are interested in returning to education why not contact our Information Referral Service on 01 4068220. Alternatively, download a copy of the Information Booklet by clicking here. ******
Back to Contents AONTAS is the National Adult Learning Organisation. It is a non-governmental organisation that exists to ensure that every adult in Ireland has access to appropriate and affordable learning opportunities throughout their lives, thus enabling them to participate in the economic, social, civic and cultural development of Irish society. For further information visit www.aontas.com or www.adultlearnersfestival.com. Apologies for any cross posting. If you no longer wish to receive information from AONTAS, please e-mail mail@aontas.com.
AONTAS – The National Adult Learning Organisation 83 – 87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6W Ph 01 4068220«Fax 014068227«E-mail mail@aontas.com Company Registration: 80958 Charity Registration: 6719