Former Enterprise Academy Fellow's programme secures funding
TU Dublin's Enterprise Academy is delighted to hear the news that the Pathways Together Programme for people with intellectual disabilities has been awarded €1.1m in PATH 4 funding. The application for funding built extensively on the work of Sylvia Healy during her Convene Fellowship at the Enterprise Academy in 2022.
Minister Simon Harris made the announcement at an event in Dublin on Friday 9 Feb 2024. Nine other Higher Education Institutes were also awarded funding from the Higher Education Authority / Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). This funding will greatly increase provision of higher-level programmes across Ireland for people with intellectual disabilities and will enhance access to college and employment for this traditionally marginalised group.
This significant initiative, will offer unprecedented opportunities for learners with intellectual disabilities across communities. Minister Harris emphasised the importance of equitable representation in higher education, stating: "We know that people with an intellectual disability have not been represented adequately in Higher Education. We want and need our College campuses to reflect their communities."
He highlighted the €10 million investment to support learners with intellectual disabilities, ensuring equality of opportunity for all.
Early support of the Enterprise Academy
"This wouldn't have happened without the early support from the Enterprise Academy/Convene team" Sylvia said. "I'm really, really grateful for all the encouragement, shared wisdom and mentorship received as part of my fellowship".
This wouldn't have happened without the early support from the Enterprise Academy/Convene team. I'm really grateful for all the encouragement, shared wisdom and mentorship received as part of my fellowship.
Sylvia Healy, former Enterprise Academy Fellow
Minister Simon Harris, Deirdre Bonar TU Dublin and Sylvia Healy with TU Dublin Students at the funding announcement for the Pathway Programme for Access to Higher Education.
Pathways Together Programme
The Pathways Together Programme was co-developed by Sylvia (a lecturer in microbiology on TU Dublin's Tallaght campus) with TU Dublin lecturer Deirdre Bonar. Deirdre is a Social Care lecturer and coordinates Avista's Learning Together Programme that runs on the Blanchardstown campus.
After joining forces, and with the ongoing support of the Enterprise Academy and the input of many other staff who gave generously of their time and wisdom, Sylvia and Deirdre drove the further development of the Pathways Together Programme and hope to launch later this year, with the first intake of students in September 2024.
Find out more
Read more about the Pathways Together Programme here or contact sylvia.healy@tudublin.ie or Deirdre.bonar@tudublin.ie if you'd like to learn more or get involved.
The Enterprise Academy is funded under Pillar III of the Human Capital Initiative - Innovation and Agility,
by the Higher Education Authority.
