SETU gets additional funding to continue family carers support initiative

South East Technological University (SETU), in partnership with Family Carers Ireland (FCI), has been awarded additional funding through the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF) to continue its, ‘Supporting Family Carers across Ireland’ project.

The project forms part of a wider SETU project funded under TEF and managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which supports a range of activities aligned with SETU’s strategic development priorities.

According to a news release from SETU, renewed funding was awarded following a successful project showcase hosted in December, that demonstrated the significant impact of the initiative on family carers.

That showcase was attended by Irish President Catherine Connolly.

Speaking about the project, President Connolly said: “This project shines a welcome spotlight on the vital, yet all-too-often unseen contribution that family carers across our country perform.” 

The showcase celebrated the project’s transformative effect on participants’ lives, and in addition to highlighting the academic achievements of carers it also enhanced the community and peer networks formed through their shared experiences over the three-year period of the project.

The project originally received €1 million funding through the HEA, in 2022, and to-date has made a significant impact, delivering accredited courses directly to family carers free of charge. 

A spokesperson for SETU said that through the project, 791 family carers across the country had enrolled in programmes from NFQ levels 6 to 8, at the university

"This number exceeds original targets and is testament to the appetite for greater educational opportunities at third level," said the SETU spokesperson.

The additional funding will enable the project team at the university to significantly increase the impact of the project. 

Over the coming year, SETU will build on work to date, and continue to open educational opportunities for family carers via a wide range of networks. The bespoke flexible nature of the courses will allow more participants to access education without financial or logistical barriers.

“The extension of this funding recognises the exceptional achievements of family carers and the value of learning that respects both lived experience and academic excellence. We look forward to broadening participation and deepening the impact this project has on families and communities across Ireland," said Nicola McEntee, the Project Coordinator.

Meanwhile, Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy with Family Carers Ireland, said the additional funding will allow FCI to continue "the incredible partnership with SETU".

"We know how valuable returning to education can be for family carers, not only from an academic viewpoint but also in providing opportunities to meet fellow carers and share their experience and wealth of knowledge whilst providing peer support to one another," she said.

"Our sincere thanks to HEA for this additional funding and we look forward to working with SETU to reach many more family carers across the country," she added.

The ‘Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland’ initiative is a ‘first-of-its-kind’ collaboration between a higher education institution and a national carers organisation, providing free third-level education to family carers. 

The SETU spokesperson said it's also a blueprint for inclusive lifelong learning and demonstrates the critical importance of supporting the educational and personal development needs of those in caring roles.

President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, photographed with President of SETU, Prof. Veronica Campbell, representatives from SETU and Family Carers Ireland (FCI), and family carer, Leona Davey and her son Alex, at the showcase of the 'Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland' project in Carlow. Photo credit: Patrick Browne.