€750k funding for WWETB will enable long-term unemployed, disabled, and homeless to access learning materials

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Almost €750,000 has been allocated to support disadvantaged learners in the south east as part of a government initiative. Part of the Reach Fund, the €712,243 grant will allow Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB) to support learners’ personal development and build skills while offering educational options through simplified pathways, creating further opportunities to progress to other areas of Further Education and Training (FET)) and beyond.

Welcoming the funding, Wexford TD and Minister for Housing James Browne said it will enable those from all backgrounds to access learning resources.

“This funding plays a key role in supporting our Waterford and Wexford ETB to increase their capacity, ensuring that they can support the participation of disadvantaged learners within our communities,” he said. “This type of funding has helped to tackle inequalities and support access to community education, whilst also addressing important topics such as climate justice education, education for sustainable development, and building climate literacy.”

Key target groups for Reach funding include the long-term unemployed; learners under 25 years of age; people with disabilities; and migrants and refugees. Other priority groups include lone parents; members of the Traveller and Roma communities; early school leavers; and people impacted by homelessness.

Funding for the 2025 Reach Fund was allocated by SOLAS, and its interim CEO Nessa White said the scheme offers “local, accessible, and welcoming learning opportunities for individuals which can support them to achieve their personal, social, and educational goals. We are delighted to continue to allocate Reach funding in 2025 to support those learners who need it the most.”