Education Study Report Launched in Blackpool, Cork
A report entitled ‘‘The Provision of Adult and Community Education in the Northside of Cork..A report entitled ‘‘The Provision of Adult and Community Education in the Northside of Cork City’ was launched Thursday, March 13th in Respond Housing Association complex at St Francis Gardens, Blackpool, Cork City.
Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister of State, Department of Health and Department of Justice, Equality & Defence, pictured with Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Catherine Clancy, Patrick Cogan, ofm CEO, Respond, and Dr. Siobhan O'Sullivan of Shared Insight, pictured at the launch of the Respond Housing Association report on Adult Education on the Northside of Cork City. Photos by Diane Cusack
This report had been commissioned by Respond from SharedInsight, with colleagues from UCC, last Autumn as part of our Regeneration Strategy of the Blackpool Village. The report provides a bird’s eye view of the education services in the area and will be of huge benefit to Respond in advancing their education and regeneration plans. Dr. Siobhan O’Sullivan, the co-author, introduced the main findings of the report at the launch.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cl. Catherine Clancy, launched the Report and also present was Minister Kathleen Lynch who responded to it. There was also a good attendance of Community Development providers and educators in the Area, including personnel from UCC.
The evening was hosted by Ned Brennan and Lorcan Byrne, Regional Coordinator of Education, who spoke about the education strategy and plans of Respond nationally and for the Cork area.
The report contains a socio-economic and demographic profile of the Northside, and provides the most up-to-date information on the provision of Adult and Continuing Education providers and programmes currently running in the Northside of the city. The report was officially launched by Lord Mayor Cllr. Catherine Clancy and Minister Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, and was attended by many of the education providers and community
Back row – Dr. Lorcan Byrne, Respond, Ned Brennan, Respond, Dr. Seamus O Tuama, UCC, Dr. Cathal O Connell, Co author UCC, Nicholas McMurry, Co-autor SharedInsight. Front row - Patrick Cogan, ofm CEO Respond, Lord Mayor Catherine Clancy, Minister Kathleen Lynch, Dr Siobhan O Sullivan Co-author SharedInsight and Denis Barrett Cork ETB.
Welcoming the report, Respond acting Area Manager, Mr. Ned Brennan said:
“This report has the potential to make a real contribution to planning for on-going community regeneration projects in the city. It is clear from the analysis that there is a wealth of educational resources on the Northside; chief amongst those are Northside community leaders and the people themselves. Respond is offering its own expertise and 30 years experience in community development to these community leaders. We place a heavy emphasis on education as a tool for social change and transformation. Education must take a central role in on-going regeneration and
community development projects in our city. “
This Northside Report highlights the vitality and activity in the sector: the great number of courses and students is testament to that.
‘We in Respond,’ concluded Mr. Brennan, ‘working under the leadership of our Education Coordinator for the South and South East, Dr Lorcan Byrne, aim to put our shoulder to the wheel, to develop close partnerships with community groups and the other educational providers. We will seek to complement what is already there, by focusing on the provision of high calibre courses aimed especially at community leaders and trainers in such areas as Community Studies, Community Education, Housing Studies and related areas”.
Please review findings of full report : Provision of Education North Cork City – Research Report