Seventy Mayo groups receive special funding support

Up to 70 groups in Mayo will receive funding from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide funding to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing and participating in community education under the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF).

Welcoming the news, Deputy Michael Ring stated: “The fund was first made available in 2020 and is managed by SOLAS, the projects funded varied from those designed to help support online learning, connect communities and provide social support to the most disadvantaged.

"The fund has a strong focus on building the digital infrastructure of community education providers, including providing devices and software, and increasing their capacity to deliver online learning.

“The department have stated that this Fund is specifically designed to tackle educational inequalities which continue to be highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and support access to community education.

“The fund places a strong focus on community education as a mechanism to continue to support and engage with disadvantaged learners."

The following are some of the successful groups in Mayo:

Ballyhaunis Family & Community Resource Centre €7,236

Cliara Development Company €9,779

Killawalla Community Council €7,452

Louisburgh Mens Shed €4,738

Foróige Hub, Castlebar €12,359

Fr. Patrick Peyton CSC Memorial €7,753

Ballinrobe Mens Shed €6,957

Cushlough Community Centre €8,211

Crossmolina Community Council/Vision 2025 €7,196

Westport Active Retirement €4,806

Claremorris Community Radio €4,402

Islandeady Development Co. Ltd. €9,011.