Léargas
Organisation
Léargas manages international and national exchange programmes in education, youth and community work, and vocational education and training. These exchanges connect people in different communities and countries and bring an international dimension to the work of organisations across Ireland. We are the National Agency for Erasmus+ in Adult Education, School Education, Vocational Education and Training, Youth and Sport.
We have built a national and international reputation for effectively managing significant levels of funding to support international collaboration and exchange. We have also built a reputation for a friendly and supportive approach to programme applicants and beneficiaries.
Léargas is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. We work under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and our Board is appointed by the Minister. We also work in close partnership with the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Department for Arts, Tourism Sports.
The EPALE National Support Service in Ireland is managed by Léargas alongside eTwinning, Eurodesk and Language Initiatives. For more information on EPALE and Léargas' other work you can sign up to Léargas' newsletters.
Work programme
The Irish National Support Service for EPALE aims to inform the adult learning community about EPALE's purpose and functionality. We also aim to engage wide participation in EPALE among adult education practitioners in Ireland.
Among our priorities are:
- Implementing the communication strategy to reach identified target groups
- Sourcing and providing quality content for EPALE and actively encouraging contributions from stakeholders
- Developing synergies with Erasmus + and the National Coordinator for the European Agenda for Adult Learning
Target Groups
The target groups are practitioners, researchers and policy makers in the adult education and further education and training field. Organisations in the fields of vocational education and training, youth and schools will also be targeted where they focus on adult education activities.
Upcoming activities:
We are always looking for new ways to support adult educators/trainers in Ireland. If you would like to get involved contact the NSS team at epale@leargas.ie. Follow us on Twitter @EPALE_IE and Facebook @adultlearninginireland to see all upcoming events!
Irish Content
Every week there is new Irish content being shared on EPALE! We’re always delighted to see blog posts, event listings, and activity in groups. Blogs are a fantastic way to share your ideas, experiences, information on events and Erasmus+ projects with the EPALE community across Europe.
If you have any questions about sharing on EPALE and writing blogs – or have any general EPALE questions – please contact us at epale@leargas.ie
More Information:
Stay updated with all EPALE Ireland's events by signing up to newsletter.
The Team
Mark Guerin is the Support and Development Officer for EPALE in Ireland.
Mark has been the EPALE Ireland Coordinator since June 2023 and having previously worked in the Tourism, Culture and Heritage sector. As a traditional Irish Storyteller, Mark has worked alongside colleagues from across Europe as a member of FEST (Federation of European Storytellers). With a BA in Fine Art, Mark has a strong interest in creative engagement, experience design and immersive learning.
Contact Mark by email: mguerin@leargas.ie or by phone: 00353 (0) 18871247.
Mei Mei Monahan is the Projects and Administration Officer for EPALE in Ireland.
Mei Mei joined the team at the beginning of 2025. Having completed a MSc in Business Management from Dublin City University, she has gained experience as a Teaching Assistant, Marketing Associate, and Audit Assistant. Her background in both project work and administration has provided her with a strong foundation for supporting the efficient delivery of programmes. Mei Mei is also passionate about community-focused initiatives, having fundraised, as a volunteer, for orphanages in China as part of the International Orphan Aid team. She is committed to driving inclusive and impactful programmes that make a difference.
Contact Mei Mei by email: mmonahan@leargas.ie or telephone: +353 1 887 1230
Adult Learning
National Policy Context for the field of Further and Adult Education
The term "Further Education" embraces education and training which occurs after second level schooling, but which is not part of the third level system. A distinctive feature of further and adult education is its diversity and breadth of provision, and its links with other services like employment, training, area partnership, welfare, youth, school, juvenile liaison, justice, community, and voluntary sector interests. A wide range of Government Departments, statutory agencies and voluntary and community organisations provide services in this area.
The White Paper on Adult Education: Learning for Life, published in 2000, defined adult education as any "systematic learning undertaken by adults who return to learning having concluded initial education or training".
The concept includes:
- re-entry by adults to further education
- re-entry by adults to third level education
- continuing education and training and professional development of people in or re-entering the workforce, regardless of the level
- community education
- Other systematic learning undertaken by adults in various settings and contexts, both formal and informal.
An extensive consultation process informed the White Paper Learning for Life and marked the adoption of Lifelong Learning as the governing principle of educational policy in Ireland.
In Ireland, SOLAS is responsible for funding, planning, and coordinating training and further education programmes. In 2014, SOLAS published the Further Education and Training Strategy, which places increased emphasis on training for employment and in 2020, the New FET Strategy
Stakeholders
Ambassadors
Our current EPALE Ireland Ambassador's, who are instrumental in spreading the word about EPALE across Ireland.
Imelda Gaffney
Imelda Gaffney is an experienced professional with a proven record of success in the not-for-profit sector, particularly in staff development and lifelong learning. With a career spanning several years Imelda has honed her expertise in training, coaching, mediation, team building, and facilitation.
Imelda has a Master’s Degree in Guidance Counselling from the University of Limerick and a BA(Hons) in Training & Education from the University of Galway. This academic foundation has equipped her with a deep understanding of human behaviour, motivation, and personal development, which seamlessly integrates into her professional practice. Furthermore, Imelda holds a Diploma in Executive Coaching, further solidifying her credentials as a skilled mentor and coach. Her commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident in her registration as a mediator with the Mediators Institute of Ireland, demonstrating her dedication to fostering constructive dialogue and conflict resolution in the workplace and beyond.
Imelda works as Head of Learning & Development with Irish Wheelchair Association. As part of her role, she has responsibility for Training, Coaching & Mentoring, Quality Assurance, and staff development as well as working as an internal mediator. Throughout her career in the disability sector, Imelda has demonstrated a passion for empowering individuals and teams to reach their full potential. Her knowledge of designing and implementing tailored training programs, coupled with her ability to cultivate a supportive and inclusive work environment, has led to tangible improvements in organisational performance and employee satisfaction. An advocate of life-long learning, Imelda continues to enhance her own development completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership in Health & Wellbeing in the Workplace with Technical University of the Shannon in 2023.
Sarah Lavan
Sarah Lavan grew up in North America and moved to Ireland in 1994. She is an Adult Education Officer with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). Her work focuses on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and increasing opportunities, access, participation and success in Further Education and Training. Her role also involves supporting, developing, and nurturing initiatives that champion inclusive learning environments.
She has worked in Adult Education and Community for over 23 years, as a youth worker, adult education tutor and adult literacy and community education facilitator. Sarah is interested in diversity, culture, literature, literacy, and transformative education. She holds a MA in Adult & Community Education from NUI Maynooth, an MA in Poetry Studies from the Irish Centre for Poetry Studies, Mater Dei, and is currently studying a Post Graduate Diploma in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion with the University of Limerick.
Joe Houghton
Home is in Lucan, where I live with Penny, my beautiful South African wife, and Danny and April who are 12 & 11 this month (March 2024), so the house is always busy! When I'm not on the school run, picking up lego or refereeing the littles, I currently wear a number of professional hats, having consciously opted into a portfolio career soon after completing my MBA. I've authored 6 books to date - all available on Amazon. 2 on AI in education, 1 textbook on Project Management, and 3 books on different aspects of digital photography. I'm an Assistant Professor and Programme Director at UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business, one of the world's top 100 business schools. I co-created and direct/teach on the MSc in Project Management, as well as on a number of other post-grad programmes up to PhD level. Managing Director of Houghton Consulting. I consult with companies, academic institutions & non-profits on various areas: AI, management and risk. I'm always interested in new opportunities, so do reach out if I might be able to help you or someone you know! I'm doing many sessions on engaging with AI at present - email me at joe.houghton@gmail.com if you would like one for your organisation.
Consultation: www.houghton.consulting
Photography: www.houghtonphoto.com
EPALE Ambassadors play a key role in the life of EPALE through:
- Communicating the existence of EPALE to colleagues and others in the adult learning sector
- Being an advocate for EPALE and the concept of European cooperation
- Identifying excellent quality content that can be published on EPALE
- Working with the EPALE National Support Service (NSS) to provide feedback on the site and events
- If you feel you would make a good Ambassador, please contact epale@leargas.ie
