Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF):
Calling all Community Education providers/groups: Open Call for Funding!

DDLETB Further Education and Training (FET) Service in conjunction with SOLAS has launched an open call for funding aimed primarily at local Community Education Providers/Groups.

The Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF) aims to address educational disadvantage which may be experienced by learners and has a particular focus on supporting the engagement and re-engagement of learners in the community. This call aims to reduce barriers to participation in FET by facilitating wider access to digital technologies, equipment, materials etc.

The Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF) of €8 million was announced as part of Budget 2021.

The purpose of the fund is to support community education provision targeted at adult learners, who have the highest level of need. It aims to increase the participation of disadvantaged learners, particularly those on literacy and basic skills programmes at NFQ levels 1 to 3. The fund has a strong focus on building the digital infrastructure of community education providers and increasing their capacity in delivering online learning.

Administration of the MAEDF Grant

Funds are allocated by SOLAS to DDLETB, who is responsible for the administration and management of funding within its region.

Expenditure

Approved funding allocation for any activity under the MAEDF must;

(a) Be used for the specific purpose intended

(b) All expenditure to be completed by 2020 year-end

(c) Not to be used for any pay costs or costs of a recurring nature

(d) Be compliant with Circular DPR 13/14 governing the payment of grants

(e) A tax clearance certificate for the grantee organisation must accompany each application.

(f) Maintain records of expenditure for audit purposes.

Applications for funding can be under one or more of these four strands:

1: Digital Technologies

2: Learner Assistance

3: Reach Out/Mentoring

4: Covid 19 Exceptional Circumstances

Click here for the Application Form

Click here for the DDLETB MAEDF Funding Guidelines (Updated 18 Nov)

Click here to learn more about the DDLETB Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF)

Closing date: 27th November 2020

Contact aedinotoole@ddletbaes.ie for more information.

Dublin & Dún Laoghaire Education & Training Board is currently applying for the patronage of the new Post-Primary School in Blackrock, Booterstown and Dún Laoghaire.

The Department of Education decides which areas of the country need schools. The Department creates a catchment area for schools and invites parents to vote for their preferred patron.

You can vote for your school patron on the Department’s Online Patronage Preference System (OPPS).

Who can vote in the primary patronage survey? 

Parents of children / young people living in the catchment area can vote. To vote you will need your child’s PPS number and your Eircode.

You can find more information on the post-primary school processes on the Department’s website here.

If you have any further questions regarding DDLETB and post-primary school patronage , don’t hesitate to get in touch with Janet: janetmurphy@ddletb.ie

Who will build the new school?

The Department of Education and Skills is responsible for the site acquisition, planning permission and building of all new school buildings, regardless of the patron. Schools that opened in the last few years have all opened in temporary accommodation.

DDLETB have received notification from the Department of Education & Skills that an extension to Skerries Community College has been approved.  The Schedule of Accommodation being provide is as follows:-

•                 26 General Classrooms
•                 2 Construction Rooms with preparation and storage area
•                 1 Science Laboratory with preparation area
•                 1 Home Economics Room
•                 2 Art/Craft Rooms with storage area
•                 1 Staff Room
•                 Toilets and Locker Space
• SEN Unit
• 4 Classrooms
• Central Activity Space
• Daily Living Skills Room
• Multi-Sensory Room
• Practical Activity Room
• Ancillary Accommodation

The total accommodation, including circulation area and internal partitions, amounts to 4952.4m2.  This is a devolved project however delivery method is still to be finalised with the Department.

This is very welcome news for the staff, students, parents and the community in the Skerries area as well as the wider DDLETB community.

Yesterday’s Irish Times featured an article focusing on the career of Clare Cullen. Clare is a past student of the body and beauty therapy course at Blackrock Further Education Institute.

Clare explains that the course is very practical but is backed up with theory to help understand the science behind how the body works. ” There was quite a lot of biology, physiology and chemistry in relation to the products and we had to get a good understanding of how the body works”.

And of course, further education is not just about being in the classroom. Clare says “The course was great and we even had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester. It was full-time – mostly 10 am-5 pm – and the college had so many extracurricular offerings that they encouraged us to take part in”.

Following the course, Clare went on to work in a variety of salons and even qualified to enter the World Skills Competition in London, winning a medal of excellence.

Check out the Beauty courses currently available at BFEI.

To find other course opportunities at DDLETB, visit our Further Education section, where you can find a course that’s right for you.

Read the full article in the Irish Times.