Consent classes among university projects to share €5.5m development fund

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said: “The impact of the Greentown project in University of Limerick has been transformational in helping children escape the clutches of criminal gangs." Photo: Damien Storan

Five universities are set to share more than €5.5m in funding to develop a range of projects, including stopping the influence of crime networks on children and the roll-out of consent classes.

The University of Limerick and University of Galway are set to receive upwards of €1.2m each for the ‘Greentown Project’ and the Active* Consent programme respectively.

University College Cork (UCC), South East Technological University (SETU), and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) are each to receive €1m in recognition of the institutions’ outstanding performance.

It is clear the impact our higher education institutions are having across society, according to Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris.

“The impact of the Greentown project in University of Limerick has been transformational in helping children escape the clutches of criminal gangs. This work has helped deter young people from a life of debt and death.

“While the impact of the Active* Consent in University of Galway has been extraordinary in equipping our young people with the tools they need to live in an environment free of harassment and violence,” he added.

“The work of TU Dublin in generating renewable energy, the partnership between SETU and An Cosan in supporting women access education and the promotion and protection of the Irish language project by UCC are exemplary projects which are transforming education but crucially the communities they serve.”

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UCC's ‘Barr na gCnoc’ project formed a community partnership with Terence MacSweeney Community College, Knocknaheeny. An Aonad Lán-Ghaeilge was established in the school, where all subjects were taught in Irish from first year to Leaving Certificate.

The performance funding awards were based on an evaluation of impact assessment case studies submitted by higher education institutions to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in May 2023. 

Universities were invited to showcase a significant contribution made towards national strategic priorities and policies. The submissions were assessed by an independent panel of expert assessors.