Aontas Annual Report 2012

Fold/flap Fold/flap

AONTAS National Adult Learning Organisation

2nd Floor, 83-87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6Tel: (01) 406 8220/1Fax: (01) 406 8227Email: [email protected]

AONTASANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2012

Mission stateMent of aontasThe mission of AONTAS is to

advocate for the right of every

adult in Ireland to quality

learning.

tHeMes anD PRinCiPLesThe work of AONTAS over

the period of the strategic

plan will focus on three key

themes underpinned by three

key principles.

VaLUeAONTAS as a membership organisation:

• believes in the concept

of lifelong learning as a

means of enabling people

to contribute to and

participate personally,

socially, economically

and collectively in the

development of Irish

society.

• affirms and supports

the key role of adult and

community education

in promoting equality,

social inclusion and active

citizenship.

• commits to the

development and

sustainability of a quality

adult and community

education service.

VoiCeAONTAS as a membership organisation:

• commits to acting as a

critical voice for the adult

and community education

sector, to lobby for change

and reach a wide audience.

• supports and affirms the

voice of adult learners as

the core of its advocacy

work.

• commits to articulating

the key elements of

a quality adult and

community education

service and lobbying for its

development.

VisiBiLitYAONTAS as a membership organization:

• commits to promoting the

importance, value and role

of adult and community

education at local, national

and international levels.


achievements of adult

learners as a means of

drawing attention to the

key social purpose of adult

learning.


and demonstrating the

importance and quality of

the work done by the adult


service.

aontas exeCUtiVe CoMMittee MeMBeRs PresidentLiz Waters An Cosán

Hon. TreasurerCllr. Maria Gorman Kerry Education Services

Hon. SecretaryRuth Smith Tipperary Women’s Network

Organisational MembersDeborah Brock Dodder Valley Partnership

Lorraine Cunningham Blayney Blades

Mary Hilda Cavanagh IVEA

Mary Farrell Longford VEC

Tara Farrell Longford Women’s Link

Lorraine Hennessy INOU

Colm Kilgallon All Hallows College

Jim Prior City of Limerick VEC

Gillian Wild Waterford Institute of Technology

Individual MemberLiam Kilbride Presentation Education Development Office

aontas staffBerni Brady Director

Jacinta Cuthbert Head of Organisational Development

Niamh O’Reilly Head of Membership Services

Niamh Farren Communications Officer

Dympna Larkin Membership and Accounts Officer

Eleonora Peruffo Resources Officer

Kathryn Laing Festival Operations Officer

Katie O’Rourke Learner Supports Officer

Mairéad Tynan Reception Administrator

Design: www.language.ie

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AONTAS Annual Report & Financial Statements 2012

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3

CONTeNTS

FORewORd 5

OveRview 7

SeCTiON 1 ValuingAdultLearning 11

SeCTiON 2 RaisingtheVoiceofAdultLearning 15

SeCTiON 3 MakingAdultEducationVisible 19

SeCTiON 4 PromotingAdultLearningat

HomeandAbroad 23

FiNANCiAl STATemeNTS 29

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5

Irelandremainsinthegripofaprofoundrecession,

theimpactofwhichcontinuestoreverberatein

thelivesofmostofourcitizens.Howeverresearch

indicatesthattheburdenoftheadjustmentsand

cutsthathavebeenimposedonIrelandhave

fallendisproportionatelyonthemostvulnerable

whilethoseatthetophaveincreasedtheirwealth.

Currentlyunemploymentrunsat14.6%acrossthe

statebutinsomeareasofdisadvantagethisrises

wellabove20%.Weareallagreedthatsupporting

womenandmentore-gainemploymentisthe

cornerstoneofrecovery.Educationisattheheartof

thatprocess.

AONTASisfullycognisantofthepivotal

contributionadultandcommunityeducationcan

andmustmaketothenationaleconomicrecovery,

andtheorganisationcontinuestomakeasignificant

contributiontothedevelopmentofnationalpolicy

onthisissue.AONTASunderstandsthatthrough

educationwomenandmencanachievethelife

theyaspireto,butforthosedeniedaccess,itisalife

sentenceofunemploymentandpoverty.

Howeverwhileeducationprovidesapathoutof

povertyandintoemploymenttherearemany

differentstartingpoints,differentpathsandmany

differentwaystomakethatjourney.Forsomeitis

awelcomeopportunitytoup-skill,re-trainorgain

animportantqualification.Forothersitisafearful

andchallengingpath.Individualswanttotakeitbut

lackconfidenceintheirownworthandability.In

suchcircumstancesadultandcommunityeducation

mustbeabletorespondtothediversepathspeople

needtofollow.

AONTASunderstandstheimportanceofdiversity

ofeducationalpathwaysforadults,weacknowledge,

promoteandsupportthisreality.Thisisparticularly

evidentinoursupportandpromotionoftheunique

contributionofcommunityeducationinreaching

andsupportingthemostmarginalisedasthey

takethefirststepsontheirpersonaleducational

pathway.AONTASalsopromotestheimportant

rolecommunityeducationhastoplayindirectly

supporting30,000studentsaccessandprogress

throughthenationalframeworkofqualifications

intofurthereducationandemployment.

AONTAS’scommitmenttomakethelearnerthe

centralfocusofadultandcommunityeducation,

andpolicy,isattheheartofalloftheworkwe

undertake.Thisorganisationsupportsandaffirms

thevoiceofadultlearnersandtakestheleadin

bringingthevoiceoflearnersintoapublicand

policycontextasdemonstratedinparticularbythe

LobbyforLearningDaywithMinistersandsenior

civilservantsbutalsobyTheStarAwards,What

NextinformationbookletonAdultEducationin

IrelandandtheAdultsLearnerForums.

AONTAShasidentifiedthekeyelementsofaquality

adultandcommunityeducationservice,itsupports

thecontinuousprofessionaldevelopmentofadult

andcommunityeducationpractitionersthroughits

networksandCDPprogrammes.

AONTAScontinuestosuccessfullyengagewith

policymakersasthecriticalvoicefortheadultand

communityeducationsector,contributingtopolicy

developmentandlobbyingforrecognitionand

resourcesforthesector.Thisisamplydemonstrated

bytherangeofsubmissionsandpolicypaperswe

havedevelopedinparticularthoserelatedtoSOLAS

andtheFurtherEducationandTrainingAct.

FORewORd


6

AONTASremainsattheforefrontofensuringadult

andcommunityeducationmakesitscontribution

tothereshapingofournationforthefuture.As

PresidentofAONTASitismyprivilegetowork

alongsidethecommitted,engagedanderuditestaff

teamledsowellbyBerniBrady,Director.

ElizabethWaters,

President, AONTAS

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introduction2012hasbeenayearofmanychangesfortheadult

andcommunityeducationsectorandAONTAShas

concentratedonrespondingtothosechangesaswe

workedthroughthesecondyearofourstrategic

plan.Wehavefocusedourenergiesverycarefully

onthekeythemesofourplan;Voice,Valueand

Visibility;wehavemaximisedourresourcesand

concentratedonourkeymessagethatalladultshave

arighttoqualitylearningand,assuchadultand

communityeducationhasauniqueroletoplayin

addressingtheenormouschallengescurrentlyfacing

Irishpeople.

Contributing to the development of SOlASOneofthekeychangescurrentlyunderwayis

theestablishmentofSOLASasthenewFurther

EducationandTrainingAuthoritywhosecore

rolewillbeoverseeingandco-ordinatingthenew

integratedFurtherEducationandTraining(FET)

service.Atthebeginningoftheyearwesubmitted

aresponsetotheDepartmentofEducationand

Skills’spolicypaperrequestingfeedbackfrom

stakeholdersabouttheshapeofthenewservice.

AONTAS’sresponsewasbothbroadanddeep,

focussingonthelearnerandmakingastrongcase

foramulti-facetedservicewhichshouldservethe

myriadneedsofadultlearners.Wealsomadea

casefortherecognitionandsupportofcommunity

educationasavitalpartofthenewservice.

Throughouttheyearwehaveworkedtoensure

thattherewasacontinuousflowofinformation

aboutSOLASdevelopmentsandwetookevery

opportunitywecouldtofeedintotheprocess.

AspartoftheAdultLearnersFestivalweorganised,

inpartnershipwithNALA,aneventwhichbrought

togetheragroupoflearnerstodiscussthekey

elementsofthenewFETServicefromtheirpoint

ofview.TheeventwasattendedbyMinisterCiaran

Cannon,Mr.PaulO’Toole,CEOFAS,FionaHartley,

thenCEOofWicklowVECrepresentingtheIVEA

andSeamusHempenstall,PrincipalOfficerofthe

FurtherEducationSectionoftheDepartmentof

EducationandSkills.Theengagementprovedto

behighlysuccessfulinbringingtheconcernsof

thelearnertotheattentionofpolicyanddecision

makers.Areportoftheeventisavailableonthe

AONTASwebsite.

AnupdateoftheworkoftheSOLAS

ImplementationGroupwaspresentedtotheAnnual

GeneralMeetinginMaybySeamusHempenstall

anddiscussiongroupswereorganisedforAONTAS

membersatthemeetingtoinformthemselves

about,andcontributetheirviewstotheprocess.A

learneronlydiscussiongroupwasalsofacilitatedat

thismeeting.LaterintheyearattheAutumngeneral

membershipmeetingFionaHartley,whohadbeen

appointedExecutiveDirectordesignateofSOLAS

inSeptembergaveacomprehensiveoverview

ofdevelopmentswithaparticularemphasison

communityeducation.ShewasjoinedbyPenny

Lamb,HeadofPolicyatNIACE/UKwhopresented

thefindingsofresearchdoneintheUKonthe

qualitativeoutcomesofadulteducation.Thiswas

ofgreatinteresttoAONTASaswehadcontributed

totheworkofagroupestablishedbytheDESon

thewiderbenefitsofcommunityeducationandhad

completedourownresearchonthatsubject.

OveRview


8

The Role of AONTAS membersAONTASregardsitsmembershipasakeyresource

andweendeavourtoengagewiththemconsistently

inrelationtobothpolicyandpractice.Wearealso

verymuchawarethatthemajorchangesaffecting

thewholesectorwillalsoaffectourorganisation.In

preparationforthosechangesweengagedinamajor

surveyofmembersseekingtheirviewsonawide

rangeofissuesandonhowAONTASsupportsthem

intheirwork.Thisreceivedaverypositiveresponse

aswellassomesuggestionsforhowwecandevelop

ourservicesandrecruitnewmembers.Overall

therewasaverypositiveendorsementofthethree

keyprioritiesofourstrategicplan;Voice,Valueand

Visibility.Newmembershipapplicationformshave

beendesignedasaresultofmembershipfeedback,

outliningthebenefitsofbeinganAONTASmember

andcanbeaccessedfromthewebsite.

Throughorganisingmembershipeventsand

synthesisingthefeedbackreceivedfrommembers

wewereabletodevelopanumberofpolicyand

positionpapersonarangeofissuesofconcern

tobothadultandcommunityeducationlearners

andproviders.InparticularAONTASisastrong

championofcommunityeducationandthrough

theworkoftheCommunityEducationNetwork

wehavebuiltupahugerangeofknowledgeof

thesector.AONTASstaffusedthistoengage

throughouttheyearinmeetingwitharangeof

stakeholdersaswellaspoliticalspokespeopleand

otherdecisionmakerswithaviewtosharingour

positiononthedevelopmentofthenewFETservice

andseekingsupportforit.

Akeycollaborativeprocesshasbeenestablished

withtheNationalAdultLiteracyAgencywith

whomwemetfourtimesduring2012toexchange

informationandtoidentifyandcollaborateon

commonareasofwork.Anexamplewasthejoint

eventmentionedearlier.Wesharedourviewson

thedevelopmentofSOLASandwedrewupa

MemorandumofUnderstandingtosupportour

collaborativework.

Supporting the learner voiceLearnervoiceisakeypriorityforAONTASand

duringtheyearweconfiguredanewroleofLearner

SupportsOfficerwithintheorganisation.Katie

O’RourkewhowasalreadyworkinginAONTAS

wasassignedtothatroleandwillberesponsiblefor

thelearnervoicestrategyadoptedbyAONTASin

September2012.Thisstrategyincludesfacilitating

manywaysofengaginglearners,fromcontributing

theirstoriesforcasestudiesandrolemodels

toadvocacyandrepresentationatthehighest

levels.Wewereverypleasedtohavebeenaskedto

nominatealearnerrepresentativetothenewboard

ofQualifications,QualityIreland(QQI)andwe

willbesupportingUnaBuckley,aformerExecutive

Committeememberandlearnerambassador,inthat

roleforthedurationofhertermofoffice.Learners

werewellrepresentedatourSTARAwardsceremony

whichlaunchedtheAdultLearnersFestivalin

Februaryduringwhichoverfourhundredevents

tookplacealloverthecountry.Wewerehonoured

tohaveasourguestthenewPresidentofIreland,

MichealD.Higginswhowasgivenawarmwelcome

andwhospokeeloquentlyabouttheimportance

andvalueofadultandcommunityeducationas

bothaneconomicandsocialendeavour.TheFestival

isnowwellestablishedontheadultandcommunity

educationcalendarandhasgonefromstrengthto

strengthoverthepastsevenyears.

AONTAScontinuestoprovideanInformation

ReferralServicetoadultlearnerswithcallersand

visitorstothewebsiteincreasingeachyear.Aswell

asprovidingtheserviceAONTASstaffparticipated

inadulteducationfairsandeventsthroughoutthe

countrypromotingtheinformationbooklet,What

Next.Thebookletwhichisupdatedtwiceayear

isavailableinhardcopyfromtheofficeoritcan

beaccessedontheweb.DuringtheyearAONTAS

workedcloselywiththeDepartmentofEducation

andSkillstoassistinthedevelopmentofaproposal

fortheimplementationoftheEuropeanAgendaon

LifelongLearning.Theapplicationwassuccessful

andtheDepartmentestablishedaSteering

9

Committeetoadviseontheprojectwhichwill

rununtil2014.TheSteeringCommitteeincludes

representativesfromAONTAS,NALA,theNCGE

andtheIVEA.AspartoftheprojectAONTAS

willberunninganenhancedhelplineforadult

learnersanddeveloping,incollaborationwithother

stakeholdersanonlinecalendarofpromotional

events.

Representing Adult and Community educationAONTAScontinuestorepresenttheinterestsand

issuesofadultlearnersatanationalandinternational

levelandassuchwehavebothhosteddelegations

fromalloverEuropeandhaveparticipatedin

eventsataEuropeanlevel.In2012weconcluded

atransnationalpartnershipprojectfundedby

Grundtvigwhichfocusedonthedevelopmentof

promotionaleventsforadultlearning.AONTASis

anactivememberoftheEuropeanAssociationfor

EducationforAdultsandisrepresentedontheboard

byNiamhO’Reilly,ourHeadofMembershipservices.

WearealsoapartnerintheGrundtvig-funded

INFONETprojectwhichisdesignedtopromoteand

informaboutadulteducationacrossEurope.Both

staffandExecutiveCommitteemembersattended

andparticipatedinavarietyofeventsatnationallevel

aswellasrepresentingAONTASinthenationaland

localmedia.

ConclusionAsalwaysthroughouttheyearAONTAShas

endeavouredtoworkwithotherstakeholdersin

thesectorandwehavebuiltstrongrelationships

withboththeMinisterofTrainingandSkillsCiaran

CannonandwithcolleaguesintheFurtherEducation

SectionoftheDepartmentofEducationandSkills.

Weacknowledgethecontinuingsupportofthe

Departmentwithoutwhichwewouldbeunableto

doourworkandweendeavourtouseourexperience

andexpertisetofeedintothedevelopmentofthe

Department’spolicyanddecisionmaking.Our

ExecutiveCommittee,headedbyChair,LizWaters

hasprovidedstrongleadership,awealthofexpertise

andstrongsupportforthestaffteamthroughoutthe

year.Welookforwardtocontinuingourworkin2013

andbeinganactivecontributortothewholechange

processasitunfolds.

BerniBrady,

Director, AONTAS


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AONTAS membershipAsof31stDecembertheAONTASmembership

comprised475members.Thebreakdownof

membershipillustratedinthepiechartbelow,now

comprises254organisations,219individualsand2

associatemembers.AfulllistofAONTASmembers

isavailableonlineatwww.aontas.com/membership/

Inpercentagetermsmembershiptypecanbe

brokendownasfollows:54%organisationsand

46%individualmembers.However,manyadult

educatorsorlearnerswhoarepartoforganisations

subscribeasindividualmembersandtheseaccount

for16%ofthetotalindividualmembership.

Geographical Representation of membersDublinmembersaccountfor35%ofourtotal

membershipwith168members.Otherareaswith

highmembershipincludeCork(35members)and

Galway(28members),followedcloselybyLimerick

andKildare(26membersineachcounty).

TheareaswithlowestmembershipareTyrone,

MonaghanandMayo,withonly2membersineach

ofthesecounties.

membership Recruitment StrategyAONTAShasdevelopedarecruitmentand

retentionstrategytoensurethatexistingmembers

areretainedandtoincreasethemembershipbase.

Aspartoftherecruitmentstrategyafullreview

ofallAONTASmemberswascarriedoutin2012.

Theanalysislookedatmembershipcategories,

geographicalspreadofmembershipandthe

typeofprogrammesprovided.Thisinformation

highlightedareaswithlowmembershipandthe

typesoforganisationsthatcouldbetargetedfor

membership.TheamalgamationoftheVECswas

alsotakenintoconsiderationalongwiththeoverall

effectofthecurrenteconomicchangesonAONTAS

membership.

SeCTiON 1vAluiNG AdulT leARNiNG

54% Organisations

46% Individuals

www.aontas.com/membership/


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membership SurveyFollowingtheanalysis,asurveywascompiledtoget

feedbackonhowAONTASmembershipservices

canbeimprovedandwaystoincreasemembership.

Thesurveyincludedquestionsonhowtoimprove

membershipevents,therangeofservicesofferedand

howusefulmembersfoundtheAONTASwebsite,

publicationsandsocialmedia.Thesurveywassent

toallmembersand130responseswerereceived

frombothindividualandorganisationalmembers.

Thefeedbackreceivedwillinformtherecruitment

strategyandmembershipworkplanfor2013.

AONTASwillinitiallyfocusonrecruitingnew

membersfromareaswheremembershipislow.

Recruitmentplansinclude:

• Updatingrecruitmenttoolsandpromotional

materialincludingmembershipinformation

leaflet,emailflyerandvideotestimonialsfrom

members.

• InvitingprospectivememberstoAONTAS

meetingsandevents.

• Holdingregionalmeetingstoenableconsultation

withmembersandinvitingprospectivemembers

toattend.

• Askingexistingmemberstopromotethebenefits

ofmembership.

• MakingbetteruseoftheAdultLearnersFestival

andtheSTARawardapplicationstoencourage

newgroupsandorganisationstojoin.

• Usingofsocialnetworkingforrecruitment.

Accordingtothetrendinmemberapplications,the

largestnumberofindividualandorganisational

membershipapplicationswasmadeinOctober.This

couldbeattributedtotheAdultLearnersFestival,

STARawardsnominations.Thenominatedprojects

wereencouragedtojoinAONTASusinglinksfrom

theinformationbulletinandphonecallspriortothe

closingdatefornominations.

lapsed membersAsaresultofthesurveyandthemembership

analysisitwasnotedthatmanymembershad

notpaidtheirfeestodate.Thesememberswere

contactedandthosewhodidnotwishtocontinue

membershipwerelapsed.Thetotalnumberof

memberslapsedduring2012was98members

–18%ofthetotalmembership;thiswasdouble

thenumberlapsedinpreviousyears.Lackof

fundingandtheclosureoforganisationswerethe

mainreasonsgivenforceasingmembership.The

numberofnewmembersthatjoinedAONTASin

2012was77,representing16%ofthecurrenttotal

membership.

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membership meetings TheAONTASAnnualGeneralMeetingtookplace

on9thMayinDublinwithover70members

attending.SeamusHempenstall,PrincipalOfficer

fromtheDepartmentofEducationandSkillsgave

aninputabouttheSOLASconsultationprocess

andmemberstookpartindiscussionsabout

movingforwardwiththisprocess.Electionsfor

theExecutiveCommitteetookplaceandsixnew

membersoftheAONTASExecutiveCommittee

werewelcomedatthismeeting:

• MaryFarrell–LongfordVEC

• LorraineHennessy–IrishNationalOrganisation

oftheUnemployed

• ColmKilgallon–AllHallowsCollege

• JimPrior–LimerickCommunityEducation

Network

• LorraineCunningham–BlayneyBlades

• TaraFarrell–LongfordWomen’sLink

OvereightymembersofAONTASattendedthe

GeneralMeetingonNovember14thattheAshling

HotelinDublin.FionaHartley,ExecutiveDirector

(Designate)ofSOLASgaveanupdateonprogress

todateontheestablishmentofSOLASandsome

ofthechallengesaheadespeciallyforcommunity

educationproviders.PennyLamb,HeadofPolicy

DevelopmentinNIACE(theNationalInstitute

ofAdultContinuingEducation)UKgavea

presentationaboutitsworkintheUKonmeasuring

outcomes.Participantsdiscussedthevalueof

measuringtheoutcomesofadultandcommunity

education,thechallenges,opportunitiesandbenefits

ofthisapproachandhowitcanbeimplementedat

locallevel.Twoworkshopsspecificallyforlearners

werealsoheldatthiseventinordertoexplorehow

AONTAScanmeaningfullyrepresentthediversity

andissuesoflearnersatapolicylevel.

Community education NetworkTheCommunityEducationNetwork,which

wasestablishedin2007asapoliticalplatformof

independentcommunityeducationgroupswithin

theAONTASmembershipaddressestheactions

underallthreethemesoftheAONTASstrategic

plan.Thisuniquenetworkseekstoincrease

visibility,raisethevoiceof,andpromotethevalueof

communityeducationthroughacollectiveprocess

ofparticipatorymeetingswhichcapitalisesonthe

expertisewithinthesectoraswellassupportingnew

organisations.Theworkofthenetworkisguided

byasteeringgroupforitsoveralldevelopmentand

direction.Withmembershipofover115community

educationorganisationsitisthelargestnetworkof

independentcommunityeducationgroups,andthe

onlystructureatnationallevelwhichisdedicatedto

thisdistinctformofeducationprovision.

Community education Network (CeN) work in 2012InitsfifthyearthemainfocusoftheCENwasto

clearlydocumentissuesfacingthecommunity

educationsector,developstrategicallianceswith

appropriateagenciesinordertoaddresssuch

issuesandtomeetthedevelopmentalneedsofthe

network.ThekeyCENactivitiesfor2012included:

hostingfournationalnetworkmeetings;providinga

newprofessionaldevelopmenttrainingprogramme

formemberswithafocusonthesocialactionmodel

ofcommunityeducation;andproducingposition

andissuepaperspertinenttothesector.


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Outcomes1. Fournationalmeetingswereheldwithfull

reportsavailabletodownloadonline:

http://www.aontas.com/commed/meetings.html

• 1stFebruary2012:SupportingtheCommunity

EducationNetwork:ContinuousProfessional

Development,Policy,ResearchandFETAC.

• 18thApril2012:CommunityEducationin

aTimeofChange:Utilizingourcollective

knowledgeforaction–SOLAS,SocialJustice

Advocacy,ResearchandFETAC.

• 3rdOctober2012:Strengtheningcommunity

educationthroughsocialactionandshaping

thefutureofcommunityeducationwithin

SOLAS.WithDevelopmentEducationafternoon

workshopinconjunctionwithLourdesYouth

andCommunityServices(LYCS).

• 24thNovember2012:Measuringtheoutcomes

ofcommunityeducation–variousmodelsand

theroleofaccreditation.

2. FivemeetingsoftheexpandedCENsteering

groupwhichsupportedthedevelopment,

directionandactionoftheNetwork.CEN

Steeringgroupmembers:Camilla Fitzsimons

(RESPOND! Housing), Avril Bailey (An Cosán),

Suzanne Kyle (Limerick Community Education

Network), Colm Kilgannon (All Hallows College)

and Rachel Morrissey (D8CEC).

3. TheWheel:TraininglinksProgramme,

Continuousprofessionaldevelopmentforsocial

actionmodelofcommunityeducationforCEN

participants.

TheAONTASCommunityEducationNetwork

successfullysecuredfundingfromTheWheel

TrainingLinksprogrammeinordertodevelopand

deliveraCPDtrainingcourseforasocialaction

modelofcommunityeducation.Whatmadethis

coursedifferentisthatapre-setprogrammewasnot

offered;ratheritwasdevelopedaccordingtowhat

theCENconsidereditsprioritiestobe.Although

custommadetothisgroupofpractitionersitcan

alsobeused,addedto,anddevelopedbyother

organisations.Anaccompanyinghandbook,online

PowerPointsupportsandrecordedvideosessions

forusebypractitionersweredevelopedinthe

courseofthetrainingprogramme.Thetraining

programmewasasfollows:

• 10thMay:Module1,Communityeducationfor

socialaction–bringingthetheorytopractice.

• 24thMay:Module2,Communityeducation

forsocialaction–learnercentredteaching

methodology.

• 7thJune:Module3,Communityeducation

forsocialaction–incorporatingteaching

methodologytheimpactsthecommunity.

• 21stJune:Module4,Integratingcontinuous

professionaldevelopmentforsocialchangeinto

yourwork–howtodeliverthecourseatyour

centre.

OtherCENworkduring2012included:

• Taking the credit banneravailableonloanto

CENmembersshowcasinglearnerprogression

throughalllevelsoftheNFQwithina

communityeducationcontext.

• AseriesofAONTASblogswrittenbyCEN

membersfocusingonchallengesfacingthe

communityeducationsectorhttp://www.aontas.

com/blog/

issues Papers• ConcernsarticulatedbytheAONTASCommunity

EducationNetworkregardingnewFETAC

ProcessesandthePositionofCommunity

EducationinthecontextofthenewAuthority–

QualityandQualificationsIreland(QQI).

• ConcernsfortheCommunityEducationSector

inaTimeofChange.

• PositionPaperonchallengestheCENseesfacing

theCommunityEducationsector.

• Issuesregardingtheimplementationofthenew

BacktoEducationInitiative(BTEI)Operational

Guidelines2012anditsimplicationsfortheCEN.

http://www.aontas.com/commed/meetings.html

http://www.aontas.com/blog/

http://www.aontas.com/blog/

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learner Support workLearnersarecentraltotheworkofAONTASand

wearecommittedtosupportingthecapacityof

learnerstoarticulateissuesofconcerntothem

andtoinfluencepolicyandpracticeinadultand

communityeducation.In2012followingthe

departureoftheLearnerAdvocacyOfficer,AONTAS

setaboutreviewingitsworkwithlearners.We

reconfiguredtheroleofalearnersupportworker

toincludetheintegrationoftheinformation

referralserviceandafreshlearnercapacitybuilding

strategy.KatieO’Rourkewhowasalreadyamember

ofAONTASstafftookupthenewroleofLearner

SupportsOfficerinSeptember2012.

Thelearnersupportworkin2012hasfocused

ondevelopingalearnerstrategy.Itbuildsonthe

existingworkandexperiencetofurtherdevelopthe

voiceofadultlearners,andhighlightthemainissues

thatlearnersarefacing.AONTASisdevelopinga

clearrelationshipwithlearnersthatwillstrengthen

anddeliveratwowaybenefitsystem.Wewill

establish,developandmaintainawiderangeof

partnershipsandnetworkstoreachlearnersand

communicatetheirvoiceandviews.Thelearner

supportworkincludesarangeofoptionstoenable

learnerstoactivelyparticipatein,feedintoand

supportthepolicypromotionandmembership

strategyofAONTAS.

learner involvement in AONTAS eventsLearnersweresupportedtobeattheheartofkey

AONTASeventsoverthecourseof2012,such

astheGeneralMeeting,LobbyforLearningDay

aswellascontributingtoissuesofExploreand

learnertestimoniesonthewebsite.AttheAnnual

GeneralmeetinginMayalearneronlyworkshop

ensuredastrongvoiceforadultlearners.The

discussionsessiontookplacetogatherideasfrom

learnersonwhatprocesseswecouldusetobest

supportmeaningfulrepresentation.Weusedthis

informationtohelpshapetheAONTASlearner

supportworkplanfor2013.

lobby for learning dayThepurposeoftheLobbyforLearningdaywas

tobringtotheattentionofgovernmentthe

importantroleofadultandcommunityeducation

andtomakeacaseforitssupport.Inourresponse

totheSOLASprocesswefocusedonthelearner

andsowetooktheopportunityoftheFestivalto

organise,incollaborationwithNALA,anevent

whichwouldgivevoicetoadultlearnersand

facilitatethemtocontributetothedevelopmentof

thenewintegratedFurtherEducationandTraining

service.Adescriptionofthedayisincludedunder

thereportoftheAdultLearnersFestivalanda

reportoftheeventisavailableonthewebsite.The

contributionof27learnersmadeahugeimpact

ontheMinisterforEducationandSkillsandhis

colleagues,aboutwhichhehasspokeninpublicon

manyoccasionssince.

learner Appointed to the Board of Quality and Qualifications ireland as Adult learner RepresentativeAONTASwasdelightedattheappointmentofÚna

BuckleytotheBoardoftheQQIin2012.Earlier

intheyeartheMinisterexpandedthemembership

oftheBoardtoincludeastudentrepresentative

fromUSIandalearnerfromtheadultandfurther

educationsector.ÚnajoinedAONTASasan

individualadultlearnerin2007andhasbeena

strongadvocateforthebenefitsofadultlearning

SeCTiON 2RAiSiNG THe vOiCe OF AdulT leARNiNG


16

andforgreaterrepresentationofadultlearners

acrossarangeofstakeholders.Shehasserved

twoyearsontheAONTASExecutiveandwasa

memberoftheAdultLearnersForumofIreland

(ALFI)steeringgroup.AONTASislookingforward

toworkingcloselywithÚnainherroleasBoard

member,inmeetingtheoverallobjectiveofthe

QQItoensuregreateropportunitiesforlearnersto

participateinhighqualityeducationandtrainingin

Ireland.

information Referral ServiceThroughtheInformationReferralServiceas

wellasfairsandexposAONTAShasmadestrong

connectionswithlearnersinordertoexpandour

learnerdatabase.Wehaveidentifiedemergingtrends

inlearnerdemandsandusedthisinformationto

feedbackintothepolicyworkofAONTAS.We

producedtwoeditionsofourinformationbooklet

(oneinFebruary2012andoneinMay2012)to

ensurethattheinformationisrelevantandupto

dateandcaterstolearnersneeds.In2012wealso

workedontransformingtheonlineformatofthe

informationbooklettomakeitmoreuserfriendly

forlearners.

TheAONTASInformationReferralServiceprovides

bothdirectandreferralinformationonadult

education,trainingandsupportstoindividualsand

groups.AONTASreceivescalls,emailsandwebsite

visitsfromprospectiveandcurrentlearnersseeking

informationoncourses,entitlements,funding

andothersupportsaswellasgovernmentlabour

activationinitiatives.Manymorepeoplenowseek

informationviathewebbutaremorelikelyto

followupwithatelephonecallhavingdonesome

initialresearchonline.

Telephone ContactTherehasbeena25%increaseinthenumber

ofpeoplecontactingtheAONTASInformation

ReferralServicebytelephonein2012showingthe

continuingneedforclearinformationforadults

whowishtoexploretheirtrainingandeducation

options.

• Topthreemostpopularqueriesweregeneral

queriesabouthowtoreturntoeducation,

fundingandthedoingtheLeavingCertificate.

• Informationrequestsconsistedof72%female

and28%male.

• InformationrequestspeakedinJanuary,May,

AugustandSeptemberanddeclinedinApril,

June,NovemberandDecember.

• Thetopreasonsforadultsreturningtoeducation

areinordertogainemploymentandtogaina

newskill.

• 35%ofpeoplereceivedahardcopyofthe

informationbookletwhilemanyothersaccessed

itthroughthewebsite.

• Dublin,Cork,Kildare,LaoisandMayowerethe

top5countiesforadultsseekinginformationin

2012.

• 41%ofpeoplecontactingtheservicein2012

reportedtheLeavingCertificateorequivalentas

theirlevelofeducationtodateand21%havethe

JuniorCertificateorequivalent.

• Thetwobiggestobstaclesreportedinreturning

toeducationwerelackofinformationandlack

ofsuitablecourses.

• 64%ofpeoplereportedlivinginanurbanarea

and36%livedinaruralarea.

• In201226%ofpeoplecontactingtheservice

werelongtermunemployedwith29%ofpeople

ineitherfulltimeorparttimeemployment

while14%reportedthemselvestobenotactively

economic/homemaker.

• In201250%ofpeoplecontactingtheservice

werelookingforfulltimeeducationoptions.

17

website ContactTheinformationsection,exceptforthehomepage,

wasthemostvisitedsectionofthewebsitein2012

with36,580viewings.Peaksofinterestwereregistered

duringtheusualtimesoftheyearwherethereisan

increaseindemandforeducationandtraining:

• February:5467visits–(AdultLearnersFestival

andCAO)thereisadirectlinktotheinformation

serviceforlearnersontheALFwebsite:thesedata

highlighttheimportanceoftheAdultLearners

Festivalnotonlyasacelebrationforadultlearning

butalsoasawayofdirectingpeopletotheservice/

coursetheyarelookingfor.

• August:4704visits–(LeavingCertresults,

Whichcourseandbeginningofnewschoolyear).

• AninterestingsurgeofinterestwasonDecember

5th–305visits–withanupdateabout

changesinfinancialsupportsforadultlearners

announcedinthebudget.http://www.aontas.

com/newsandevents/latestnews/2012/12/05/how-

does-budget-2013-affect-further-education-and/

Themostvisitedsectionsintheinformationsection

onthewebsitewere:

• FAQs:12,869pageviews,ofwhichthetop3were:

• Howtobecomeacounsellor

• Howtoupskill

• Howtobecomeateachingassistant

• Howtogetinvolved:10,867pageviews,ofwhich

thetop3were:

• Secondchance

• Basiceducation

• Distancelearning

• Financialsupports:3,580pageviews,ofwhich

thetop3were:

• BTEA

• Otherfinancialsupports(scholarships,

bursaries,grantsetc.)

• Highereducationfinancialsupports

InAugusttheinformationbookletwassuccessfully

integratedonthewebsiteanditisnowavailable

onPDFandonaspecificsection:www.aontas.

com/whatnext/Morethan5000peopleaccessed

the“Whatnext?”sectionofthewebsiteinthelast

trimesterof2012.

Fairs and expos Attended by AONTAS Staff in 2012 • February2012:IlacCentreLibrary,AONTAS

Informationstand.

• February2012:BlanchardstownEURESFair.

• March2012:USIMatureStudentConference.

• April2012:WexfordEURESFair.

• April2012:NWICNCelebrationofLearning,

AONTASInformationstand.

• June2012:MayoTraining&EducationFair,

Castlebar.

• June2012:GalwayEURESFair.

• August2012:WhichcourseEXPO.

• September2012:Polishinformationmeeting.

• September2012:BallymunWhitehallEducation

Fair.

• September2012:BlancharstownArea

Partnership,Infomorning.

• October2012:MayoTraining&EducationFair,

Ballina.

http://www.aontas.com/newsandevents/latestnews/2012/12/05/how-does-budget-2013-affect-further-education-and/



www.aontas.com/whatnext/

www.aontas.com/whatnext/


18

19

Adult learners Festival 2012TheseventhannualAdultLearnersFestivaltook

placefromthe20th–24thFebruary2012.Each

weekdaywasthemedwhiletheoverarchingFestival

messagewas‘LovetoLearn’.Theslogan‘Loveto

Learn’helpedpromotethepositivemessagethat

adultlearningbringsmanybenefitstooursociety.

Themed daysMonday,20thFebruary:CelebrateLearning

Tuesday,21stFebruary:GreenLearning

Wednesday,22ndFebruary:LearningCommunities

Thursday,23rdFebruary:LearningforWork

Friday,24thFebruary:LobbyforLearning

STAR Awards CeremonyTheSTARAwardsCeremonymarkedthestart

oftheAONTASAdultLearnersFestival2012

withacelebrationofadultlearning.Over250

guestsfromadultlearningprojectsthroughout

thecountryattendedtheeventintheBurlington

Hotel.AONTASreceived119nominationsinfive

categoriesi.e.Munster,Leinster,Connaught,Ulster

andNationwide.Nominationswerereceivedfrom

arangeoforganisationsandgroupsincluding

VECs,thevoluntaryandcommunitysectorand

privateenterprises.Thesewerethenshortlistedto41

projects.InearlyFebruary,thefivejudgingpanels

travelledaroundthecountrytomeetwiththese

projectsfacetofaceandtochoosetheirfivewinning

projects.

Thefiveoutstandingadultlearninginitiativesfor

2012were:

• AgeActionIrelandfortheir‘GettingStarted’

programme.

• CroínaGaillimheResourceCentre(aStVincent

dePaulcentreinGalway).

• LimerickCommunityEducationNetwork.

• KnockmayWomen’sQuiltingProjectfrom

Portlaoise.

• ‘Destined’–abespokelearninganddevelopment

programmeforpeoplewithintellectual

disabilitiesdeliveredbyNICVA(Northern

IrelandCouncilforVoluntaryAction).

Theawardsandcertificateswerepresentedtothe

groupsbyPresidentofIrelandMichaelD.Higgins.

lobby for learning day – SOlAS: Serving Adult learnersThepurposeoftheLobbyforLearningdaywas

tobringtheattentionofthegovernmenttothe

importantroleofadultandcommunityeducation

andtomakeacaseforitssupport.TheMinisterof

EducationandSkills,CiaranCannonwasinvitedto

attendalongwithtwoothermembersoftheSOLAS

ImplementationGroup,PaulO’Toole,CEOofFAS

andFionaHartley,CEOofWicklowVECandIVEA

representative.SeamusHempenstall,Principal

OfficeroftheFurtherEducationSectionofthe

DepartmentofEducationandSkillsalsoattended.

AONTASinvitedNALAtoworkwithittosource

learnersfortheevent.Theaimwastohavea

representativespreadoflearnersfromaround

thecountry,particularlythosewithexperienceof

SeCTiON 3mAKiNG AdulT leARNiNG viSiBle


20

accessingorwhoarecurrentlyparticipatinginfurther

educationfromLevels1-6.Somelearnershadalso

progressedbeyondLevel6,achievingthirdlevel

qualifications.27learnerswereinvitedtoparticipate

intheeventandwereseatedatroundtables.Each

roundtablefocusedonadifferentthemerelatedto

FurtherEducationandTraining,asfollows:

• Table1:AccessingFurtherEducationand

Training(Learnerneedsatpointofentry).

• Table2:Howwelearn(Learnersupportswhile

involvedinthelearningprocess).

• Table3:Takingthenextsteps(Learnerneedsat

thepointofexit).

Thediscussionateachtablewasfacilitated

byanAONTAS/NALAmemberofstaff,who

helpedstructurethedialogueusinganumberof

questionswhichweredesignedtoassistlearners

toarticulatehowthesystemcanworkbestfrom

theirperspective.Learnersdrewfromtheirown

experiencetoillustratewhatcanhelpthemaccess,

stayandprogresswithinFurtherEducationand

Training.MembersoftheImplementationGroup

participatedinalisteningcapacity,spendingthirty

minutesateachtableandalsohadanopportunity

toaskquestionsofthelearners.Areportofthe

eventisavailableontheAONTASwebsite.

Festival eventsFourhundredandfifteeneventstookplace

throughoutthecountryduringtheFestival.This

figuredemonstratesthattheAONTASAdult

LearnersFestivalhasbecomeafirmfixtureon

AdultEducationcalendarsoverthelastsixyears.

Thefactthatthenumberofeventshasremainedas

highastheyare,isatestamenttotheorganisations

whocarryouttheseeventsduringatimeof

economicrecession.Thisyear64.5%ofeventswere

collaborative,showingthatwhileresourcesare

limited,newpartnershipsarebeingforgedinan

efforttopromoteandcelebrateadultlearning

Therewasahugerangeofeventstocatertoall

tastes,interestandskillslevels–frominformal

learningopportunitiesinunlikelyplacesto

exploringlifeasamaturestudentonauniversity

campus.Theeventswereheldbyarangeof

providersincludinglibraries,VECs,adulteducation

providers,communitygroups,museums,galleries

andprivatebusinesses.AONTASdevelopednew

partnershipswithbusinessesandgroupssuch

asB&Q,St.Patrick’sCathedralandtheNational

Museumamongothers.

‘love to learn’ BusAspartoftheAdultLearnersFestivallaunch

AONTASgaveadultlearnersauniqueopportunity

tobepartofthelaunchbyvisitingsomeofDublin’s

mosttreasuredculturalattractionsonthe‘Love

toLearn’bus.DublinBusdonatedthebuswhich

brought25luckyadultlearnerstosomeofDublin’s

museumsandculturalattractionstovisittheir

collectionsandseewhattheyhadtooffer.Experts

gaveexclusiveguidedtourstotheluckyparticipants.

NEARFMproducedapodcastofthe‘LovetoLearn

Bus’tour.

local Contacts and Festival PROsTheFestivalwebsiteprovidesdetailsof42local

contactsthroughoutIrelandwhohaveorganised

eventsfortheFestivalinthepast.Thesecontacts

arewillingtosharetheireventorganiserexperience

withotherinterestedparties.AONTASwantedto

developanetworkthatbuiltonthelocalcontactsby

appointingaFestivalPROineachcounty.Thisrole

wasvitalinactingasalocalmediacontact,promoting

whatwashappeningintheircountyandassisting

anyonelookingforinformationaboutFestival

activities.Therewere23FestivalPROsfor2012.

Adult learners Festival website AONTAShasaseparateAdultLearnersFestival

websitewhichislinkedtothehomepage:www.

adultlearnersfestival.com.Thisisupdateddaily

duringtheleaduptotheFestivalandthenmonthly

throughouttheyear.Thetopthreeviewedpages

weretheFestivaleventbreakdownbycounty,

followedbytheFestivalmapandthengeneral

informationabouttheFestival.

www.adultlearnersfestival.com


21

e-BulletinsFestivale-bulletinsweresentoutonceamonth

duringthemonthsMarch2011toOctober2011to

ourmailingdatabaseofover5,000.FromOctober

untilthebeginningofMarch2012theyweresent

outweekly.

Social media ActivityAONTASusedanintegratedsocialmediacampaign

whichusedTwitter,FacebookandYouTube.

AONTASusessocialmediatosharecontent,

promotetheFestivalandtostrengthenalliancesand

partnershipswithotherorganisations.

YouTubeFor2012AONTAScreatedashortpromotional

videoabouttheSTARAwardsandwhatitmeantto

previousawardwinners.Thiswasusedtolaunchthe

STARAwardsnominationprocess.Ithelpedleadto

anincreaseof41%onnominationsreceived.

Threedifferentlearners,Alan,FrancisandLouise,

sharedtheiradultlearningexperienceswithus.

AONTAScirculatedtheseshort30secondyou

tubevideoswiththeirstoriesintheleaduptothe

Festival.

AONTASalsocompiledashortSTARAwardsvideo

toprovideasnapshotofwhathappenedduringthe

ceremonybyprofilingsomeoftheawardwinners

andwhatwinningtheawardmeanttothem.

Twitter OurTwitterfollowingincreasedto1266and

theAdultLearners’Festivalhaditsownhashtag

#ALF2012forthefestival.

FacebookTheAdultLearnersFestivalhasadedicatedFestival

Facebookpage.6341peopleviewedpostsor

commentsrelatedtotheFestivalduringthemonth

ofFebruary2012.

media CoverageOureventorganiserevaluationshowedthat54.5%

ofeventsgainedmediacoverage.Therewere130

Festivalrelatedarticlesinthelocalpress.Fromthe

ClareChampiontotheKerrymanandtheLimerick

LeadertotheWicklowTimesthelocalnewspapers

featuredinformationonevents,advertisements

andarticlesonSTARAwardwinners.TheAONTAS

‘LovetoLearn’BuswasfeaturedintheIrishTimes

asweretheeventstakingplaceinDonegal.

Radio CoverageInterestintheFestivalgeneratedradiocoveragein

theformof20localandnationalinterviews,event

noticesandreportersbeingsenttocoverevents.

internet CoverageTheAONTASAdultLearnersFestivalwasfeatured

widelyontheinternet.ThefreeDublineventguide

includedinformationabouteventsandthewebsite.

InformationabouttheFestivalwasincludedon

websitessuchasActivelink,NWCIandQualifax.ie.

Eventswerealsolistedonculturalwebsitessuchas

CultureFox,DiscoverIreland,Entertainment.ieand

Dublin.ie.

Television CoverageSTARAwardsceremonyfootagewasshownonSky

channel201onaprogrammecalled‘Outandabout

inIreland’.

#ALF2012


22

23

influencing Policy and Promoting Adult learning2012wasabusyyearwithmanychangesinthe

externalenvironment.Asignificantreformagenda

informedthepolicypromotionactivitiesof

AONTASthroughouttheyear.

The Policy environmentKeypolicydevelopmentsintheexternal

environmentwhichinformedourworkin2012

includedthefollowing:

• Aconsultationprocessonthedevelopmentof

SOLAS,thenewFurtherEducationandTraining

Authority.

• TheEducationandTrainingBoardsBill(2012)

whichproposestoestablish16LETBs(Local

EducationandTrainingBoards)inplaceofthe

existing33VECs.

• ThepassageoftheEducationandTrainingAct

(2012)whichprovidedfortheestablishmentof

QualityandQualificationsIreland(QQI).The

QQIincludesrepresentationfromtwolearners,

onefromHigherEducationandonefromthe

FurtherEducationandTrainingsector.

• TheestablishmentofIntreo(theNational

EmploymentandEntitlementsService)bythe

DepartmentofSocialProtection.

• TheimplementationoftheEuropeanAgendafor

AdultLearning.

Thesedevelopmentsprovidedaninterestingand

highlychallengingcontextforourpolicyand

promotionwork.Westrengthenedthepolicy

promotionworkoftheorganisationthroughthe

followingactions:

• Engagementwithmedia:resultinginastrong

mediapresenceintheleaduptoandduringthe

AdultLearnersFestivalandgoodmediacoverage

inAugustandSeptemberintheadulteducation

supplementsofnationalnewspapers.

• Developmentofourpolicyworkandknowledge:

throughmonitoringOireachtasdebates,

producingpapersandsubmissionswhichwe

senttotheOireachtasCommittee,Minister

forEducationandSkillsandtheMinisterfor

TrainingandSkills.

• Relationshipbuilding:weengagedwithdecision

makersandinfluencersandcontinuedtobuild

relationshipswiththeMinisterandeducation

spokespeopleaswellasdevelopingnew

relationshipswithSOLASandFÁS.

• Developmentofouronlinemarketingstrategy

throughblogging,socialmediaandupgrading

bothofourwebsites,resultinginincreasedlevels

oftraffictobothsites.

media RelationshipsEngagementwithmainstreammediaisakeypartof

AONTASpromotionalstrategyandthiscontinued

throughout2012.AONTASissued15pressreleases

tothemediaduringtheyear.

Specificoutcomesincluded:

• MediacoverageoftheAdultLearnersFestival,

fromtheinitialSTARAwardsshortlisting

throughtotheFestivallaunchandtheLobbyfor

Learningday.Nationalmediacoverageincluded

theIrishTimes,theIrishDailyStarandRTE’s

Drivetimeprogramme.

SeCTiON 4 PROmOTiNG AdulT leARNiNG AT HOme ANd ABROAd


24

• Localmediacoveragewasconsistentwith2011

andallfiveSTARawardssecuredsignificant

localmediacoverage.AgeAction,winnerofthe

NationwideawardfeaturedonRTE2news.

• Othermainstreammediacoverageduringthe

yearincludedtheIrishTimes,IrishIndependent

magazines(Health,MotherandBabies)and

RTE’sDrivetimeprogramme.

• Extensivecoverageintheadulteducation

supplementsinAugustandSeptember(including

theIrishIndependent,EveningHeraldandthe

SundayBusinessPost).

exploreExploremagazineprofilestheworkofthe

organisationandourmembers,analysisofpolicy

developmentandexamplesofpracticefromthe

sector.Eachissueprofilesaninspiringadultlearner.

• Weproduced3issuesofExploreduring2012,

includingaspecialFestivaledition.Hardcopies

ofeachissuearedisseminatedtoapproximately

1,000organisationsandindividualsandthe

magazineisalsoavailablefordownloadviathe

AONTASwebsite.

• Wealsoformedanewproductionteamfor

Explore,whichallowsforthegenerationofnew

ideasandstaffdevelopment.

websites and Online marketingDuring2012wereviewedbothwww.aontas.com

and www.adultlearnersfestival.com.Weplanned

aredevelopmentofbothsitesbasedonfeedback

andtotakeaccountoftheincreasingnumber

ofpeopleaccessingoursitesviamobilephone

andsmartphone.TheFestivalwebsitewww.

adultlearnersfestival.comreceivedacomplete

makeover,whilewww.aontas.comwillbe

redevelopedin2013.Bothofoursitesarenow

mobileaccessible.

Ouronlinepresenceisimportanttoourmembers

butalsotopotentiallearnersseekinginformation

abouttheirlearningoptions.In2012wedeveloped

aspecialonlineeditionofWhat Next,whichcanbe

navigatedbysectionandsharedviasocialmedia.

ThisinteractiveversionofWhat Nextallowsus

toprovidevisitorsto www.aontas.comwiththe

mostuptodateinformationabouttheirlearning

options,andcomplementstheexistinghardcopy

publication.

Ouronlinemarketingstrategyalsodevelopedin

2012throughtheuseofFacebook,Twitterand

blogging.During2012weincreasedourFacebook

followingby180people(to580)andourTwitter

followersby500(toapproximately1600).We

published10blogentriesthroughouttheyearwhich

includedcontributionsfromstaffandmembers.

Visitstoourwebsitearemonitoredregularly

throughGoogleAnalyticswhichallowsustotailor

ourcontentandidentifyrelevantandpopular

searches.

Policy/Advocacy work and OutcomesReformwithintheFurtherEducationandTraining

sectorprovidedanimportantbackdropforour

policypromotionwork.Weproducedfourpapers

respondingtokeydevelopmentsinthesector

including:

1. AsubmissiontotheSOLASconsultationprocess

(January2012).

2. AreportontheLobbyforLearningeventduring

theAdultLearners’Festival(March2012).

3. Apaperonlearnerrepresentation‘Meaningful

Representation for Adult Learners’(August2012).

4. APre-budgetpositionpaper‘Maximising

Resources’(December2012).

AllpapersweredisseminatedtotheOireachtas

CommitteeonEducationandSocialProtection,

MinisterforEducationandSkills,theMinisterfor

TrainingandSkills,officialswithintheDepartment

andotherrelevantstakeholders.

InJanuary2012ourSOLASsubmissionemphasised

theneedtoactivelyconsultwithadultlearnersin

thedevelopmentofanintegratedFurtherEducation

andTrainingservice.Thesubmissionalsooutlined

www.aontas.com




www.aontas.com

www.aontas.com

25

thepotentialofcommunityeducationtomakea

uniquecontributiontothedevelopmentofthe

service.

using the learner voice to influence PolicyAONTASprovidedaspaceforadultlearnersto

speakdirectlytotheMinisterforTrainingandSkills

alongwithmembersoftheSIGduringtheclosing

eventoftheFestival.DuringtheeventSOLAS

– Serving Adult Learners,learnersspoketothe

ImplementationGroupabouttheirexperienceof

accessing,progressingthroughandmovingonfrom

furthereducationandtraining.AONTASreceived

strongpositivefeedbackfromtheevent,anda

reportcapturingtheissuesraisedhelpedussecure

aseriesofmeetingswithkeystakeholderswherewe

continuedtopromotethelearnervoice.Theneed

forSOLAStobelearnercentredwasoneofthree

keythemesemergingfromtheSOLASstakeholder

consultationprocess.

Anewlearnerstrategyalongwiththese

developmentsallowedustofocusonourownrole

insupportingadultlearnerstoengagewiththe

services.OurpaperMeaningful Representation for

Adult Learnersproposesanumberofmechanisms

toachievethis.InAugust2012followingthe

publicationofthispaperAONTASwasconsulted

andaskedtoassisttheDepartmentinproposing

anadultlearnerrepresentativetositontheBoard

oftheQQI(QualityandQualificationsIreland).In

November2012UnaBuckley,anindividualmember

ofAONTASwithastrongbackgroundinlearner

advocacyandexperienceoffurthereducationwas

appointedtotheQQIBoard.

InadvanceofBudget2013weengagedwiththe

educationspokespeople,aswellasbothMinisters

intheDepartmentofEducationandSkills.Our

paperMaximising Resourcesmadefourproposals

tostrengthentheFurtherEducationandTraining

services.

Thesethemeswillcontinuetoinformourwork

during2013.

Stakeholder engagement AONTAScontinuedtoengagewithkeystakeholders

inthesectorandtocollaboratewhereappropriate.

1. DepartmentofEducationandSkills:The

DepartmentconsultedAONTASaspartof

thedevelopmentofanapplicationforthe

implementationoftheEuropeanAgendaon

LifelongLearning.Theapplicationwassuccessful

andtheDepartmentestablishedaSteering

Committeetoadviseontheprojectwhichwill

rununtil2014.TheSteeringCommitteeincludes

representativesfromAONTAS,NALA,theNCGE

andtheIVEA.AONTASalsocontributedtothe

reviewoftheguidelinesforBTEI,Community

Strand,DESWorkingGrouponthewider

outcomesoflearningandtheAdultLiteracy

ReviewGroup.

2. Electedrepresentatives:Duringtheyear

AONTASmetwiththeeducationspokespeople

frombothFiannaFáilandSinnFéin.AONTAS

alsocommunicatedregularlywiththeOireachtas

CommitteeonEducationandSkillsthrough

circulatingbriefingpapersandtheAONTAS

e-bulletin.

3. NALA:AONTASorganisedtheLobbyfor

LearningDayincollaborationwithNALA

toclosetheAdultLearnersFestival.Our

partnershipwithNALAhelpedustoidentify

arangeoflearnersatvariousstagesofthe

qualificationsspectrumwhocommunicated

theirexperiencetotheMinisterforTrainingand

SkillsandothermembersoftheSIG(SOLAS

ImplementationGroup).Throughouttheyear

AONTASstaffheldfourmeetingswithNALA

stafftofocusonourpolicypromotionwork.We

developedaMemorandumofUnderstanding

whichoutlinesourcommitmenttocollaborating

oncommonissueswhileunderstandingour

differencesasorganisations.

4. IVEA:AONTASheldtwojointmeetingswith

theIVEAtoshareinformationaboutrecent

developmentsinthesector.Wedevelopeda

MemorandumofUnderstandingwhichoutlines


26

ourcommitmenttocollaboratingandsharing

informationaboutcommonissues.

5. FÁS/SOLAS:AONTASmetwithFÁSinlate

2012todiscusshowwemightcollaborateand

engagewiththetrainingsectorinthecontext

oftheestablishmentofSOLAS.FionaHartley,

ExecutiveDirectorDesignateofSOLASgavea

presentationattheAONTASGeneralMeeting,

andotherFÁSstaffattended.

6. NCGE/AEGAI:AONTASmetwiththeNCGE

andliaisedregularlywithmembersofthe

AEGAI.AONTAScontinuedtopromotethe

valueofAdultGuidancethroughourpolicy

papersduringtheyear.OurpaperMaximising

Resourceshighlightedthecontributionandvalue

ofaqualityadulteducationguidanceservice.

PublicationsSince2000allAONTASpublicationsareavailable

onthewebsiteandthePublicationsandLinks

sectionistheonemostfrequentlyvisitedafter

theInformationSection.AONTASalsomaintains

asmallcollectionoflibraryresourceswhichare

usedbyAONTASstaffandExecutivemembers

toassisttheminthecompletionofsubmissions,

policypapersandresearch.Publicrequestsusually

comefromstudentsandresearchersinadultand

communityeducation.

Publicationsmostoftendownloadedfor2011

includedtheinformationbooklet,What Next,The

Adult Learner Journal,theWhite Paper on Adult

Education (2000),andthereport“SOLAS: serving

adult learners”aboutthepolicyeventinFebruary

2012.

information Communication TechnologyAONTASisundergoinganITupgradewhich

involvesthetransferofitsdataintoaclient

relationshipmanagementsystem.Staffwillbe

enabledtomanagecontactsandhandleinformation

inamoreefficientway.Theprocessstartedin2012

andwillfinishinearly2013.

Representing Adult learning issuesAONTAS’skeyworkininfluencingpolicy,

promotingthevalueofadultandcommunity

educationandrepresentingtheinterestsofadult

learnershasbeendoneinamixtureofwaysduring

thelifeofourcurrentstrategicplan.Manyofthe

working/advisory/steeringgroupswhichproliferated

duringthe2000sarenowdefunctasgovernment

hascentralisedpolicymakingandclosed,orno

longerfundsagenciesthathadabroadsocial

partnershiprepresentation.Thishasmeantour

workhasbecomemorefluidandstrategic,allowing

ustofocusonparticularissuesastheyarise.In2012

ourpolicyworkhasfocusedonmeetingwithkey

policymakersandstakeholdersonaregularbasisas

describedearlier.

Groups/organisations where AONTAS currently represents the interests of adult and community education:• AdvisoryGrouponAccesstoHigherEducation.

• QQIlearnerrepresentative.

• NationalLLLSteeringGroup,DES.

• EuropeanAssociationforEducationforAdults,

Boardmember.

• INFONET,GrundtvigEuropeanInformation

Network.

• InternationalCouncilforAdultEducation.

• GoverningAuthority,UniversityofLimerick.

• NALA/AONTAS.

• VITA,Europeanprojectonmeasuringoutcomes

ofadultlearning.

• Issue-focusedworkinggroupssetupby

DESfromtimetotime;e.g.LiteracyReview,

DevelopingGuidelinesforCommunity

Education,WiderBenefitsofLearningetc.

• AgeandOpportunityjointworkinggroupon

research.

27

Current working groups: usually comprise a mixture of staff, executive and AONTAS members:• CENSteeringGroup.

• AdultLearners’ForumofIreland.

• Judgingpanels,ALF.

• AdultLearnerJournalEditorialBoard.

• Membershipworkinggroup.

• AONTASreviewandStrategicplanninggroup.

european RepresentationNiamhO’ReillyrepresentsAONTASanditsmembers

ontheboardoftheEuropeanAssociationfor

theEducationofAdults(EAEA).Throughactive

participationatthreeboardmeetingsAONTAS

contributedtothemembershipsubgroupofthe

EAEAwithitsresultingmembershipstrategy,and

influencedkeyareasofEuropeanpolicypertainingto

adultlearning.Overthecourseof2012AONTAShas

beenengagedinanumberofkeyareasofEuropean

lobbyingworkincludingtheRenewedEuropean

AgendaforAdultLearning,andinfluencingthe

proposedchangestotheErasmusforAllprogramme

inordertoensurethatadultlearninghasvisibilityand

willbeadequatelyfundedinthenewprogramme.

IncreasingthevisibilityofAONTASisalsoacentral

partofourworkand,throughpresentationsand

moderationattheEAEAGeneralAssemblyaswell

ascontributionstotheEAEAconferenceonActive

Ageing,AONTASandadultlearninginIreland

achievedEuropeanrecognitionandexposurewhilst

influencingtheEuropeanpolicyagenda.Onbehalfof

theEAEAAONTASisrepresentedontheEuropean

CivilSocietyPlatformonLifelongLearning(EUCIS-

LLL)whichcomprises25Europeannetworksworking

ineducationandtraining.Onekeyoutcomeofthis

workwasthecontributionofarticlesbybothNiamh

O’ReillyandalearnerfromWarrenmountCommunity

EducationandDevelopmenttotheEUCIS-LLLspecial

educationmagazineonthevalidationofinformal

andnon-formallearning.Itisavailablefordownload

here:http://www.eucis-lll.eu/eucis-lll/wp-content/

uploads/2012/03/EUCIS-LLL-LLL-Mag-Validation.pdf

international ProjectsAONTASisapartnerintheEuropeanproject‘VITA:

Validationofservice-orientedlearningoutcomes

withLEVEL5asinnovativeIT-basedAssessment

andEvidencingsystem’.Inlinewithourworkin

contributingto,andsharinginformationabout

methodsformeasuringtheoutcomesofadult

learning,AONTASisinvolvedinpilotingand

disseminatingtheresultsofthisproject.Inthelast

quarterof2012AONTAS:

• DistributedanonlinesurveytoIrisheducation

practitioners.

• ResearchedITbasedtoolsformeasuring

competences.

• Preparedacountryreportwithneedsanalysis.

• Interviewedtwopractitionersinthecommunity

educationsector.

• AnalysedtheresultsoftheIrishsurveyand

preparedareportfortheprojectnewsletter.

AONTASparticipatedinthepreparationofthe

frameworksneededtomeasureeachcompetence

andmadecontactwithalocaladultlearnergroupto

pilottheprojectduring2013.Theprojectaimsand

objectivesweredisseminatedthroughthee-bulletin,

Explore(theAONTASmagazine),thewebsiteandat

stakeholdersmeetings.

Fulldetailsofthisprojectareavailableonline

onwww.vita-eu.orgorfromEleonoraPeruffo,

AONTASResourcesOfficer.

AONTASisalsoapartnerintheINFONETproject

whichhasbeenrevitalisedafterreceivingnew

Grundtvigfundingin2012.Detailsoftheprojectare

availableonlineatwww.infonet-ae.eu

http://www.eucis-lll.eu/eucis-lll/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/EUCIS-LLL-LLL-Mag-Validation.pdf

http://www.eucis-lll.eu/eucis-lll/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/EUCIS-LLL-LLL-Mag-Validation.pdf

www.vita-eu.org

www.infonet-ae.eu


28

AONTAS (A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

29

Registration Number 80958

Charity Number 6719

Company informationDirectors Ms.ElizabethWaters

(President)

Ms.MariaGorman

(Hon. Treasurer)

Ms.RuthSmith

(Hon. Secretary)

Ms.DeborahBrock

Ms.MaryHildaCavanagh

Ms.LorraineCunningham

Ms.MaryFarrell

(elected May 2012)

Ms.LorraineHennessy

(elected May 2012)

Mr.LiamKilbride

Mr.ColmKilgallon

(elected May 2012)

Mr.JamesPrior

(elected May 2012)

Ms.GillianWild

Ms.TaraFarrell

Ms.MarianDuffy

(term completed May 2012)

Mr.MichaelMurray


Ms.LorettaNeedham


Mr.JohnRyan


Secretary Ms.RuthSmith

Auditors AnneBradyMcQuillansDFK

CharteredAccountants

&RegisteredAuditors

IveaghCourt

HarcourtRoad

Dublin2

BusinessAddress 83-87MainStreet

Ranelagh

Dublin6

Bankers BankofIreland

LowerBaggotStreet

Dublin2

Solicitors P.J.Walsh&Company

Solictors

12UpperFitzwilliamStreet

Dublin2

RegisteredOffice 83-87MainStreet

Ranelagh

Dublin6

AONTAS FiNANCiAl STATemeNTS 2012

11775_AR_Int_AMENDED.indd 29 17/04/2013 16:14


30

directors’ Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31st december 2012

Thedirectorspresenttheirreportandtheauditedfinancialstatementsfortheyearended31stDecember2012.

Principal Activities, Business Review and Future developmentsTheprincipalactivityofthecompanyistoadvocatefortherightofeveryadultinIrelandtoqualitylearning.

Thecompanyislimitedbyguaranteeandnothavingasharecapital.

Thedirectorsexpectthatthepresentlevelofactivitywillbesustainedfortheforeseeablefuture.

ResultsThe(deficit)/surplusfortheyearafterprovidingfordepreciationandtaxationamountedto€(15,819)(2011

–€64,491).

Going ConcernThecompanyisdependantonincomeprovidedfromgovernmentfunders,membershipanddonations.

Aswithmanygovernmentfundedcharities,thecompanyisaffectedbyboththebudgetaryconstraints

implementedbythenationalgovernmentandthedeterioratingexternaleconomicrestraints.Thedirectors

havereviewedallrelevantinformationandareconfidentthatthecompanyhasadequatefinancialresources

tocontinueinoperationalexistencefortheforeseeablefuture.Consequently,thedirectorsconsiderit

appropriatetopreparethefinancialstatementsonagoingconcernbasis.



31


TheExecutiveCommitteeconstitutestheBoardofDirectorsofthecompanyunderthetermsofArticle28of

theArticlesofAssociationofthecompany:

Ms.ElizabethWaters(President)

Ms.MariaGorman(Hon. Treasurer)

Ms.RuthSmith(Hon. Secretary)

Ms.DeborahBrock

Ms.MaryHildaCavanagh

Ms.LorraineCunningham

Ms.MaryFarrell

Ms.LorraineHennessy

Mr.LiamKilbride

Mr.ColmKilgallon

Mr.JamesPrior

Ms.GillianWild

Ms.TaraFarrell

Therewerenochangesinmembersbetween31stDecember2012andthedateofsigningthefinancialstatements.

Books of AccountThemeasurestakenbythedirectorstoensurecompliancewiththerequirementsofSection202,Companies

Act,1990,regardingproperbooksofaccountaretheimplementationofnecessarypoliciesandprocedures

forrecordingtransactions,theemploymentofcompetentaccountingpersonnelwithappropriateexpertise

andtheprovisionofadequateresourcestothefinancialfunction.Thebooksofaccountofthecompanyare

maintainedatthebusinessaddress.



32


Principal Risks and uncertaintiesThedirectorshaveassessedtherisksandhavetakenmeasurestomanagetheserisksinAONTASasfollows:

market RiskIncommonwithmanygovernmentfundedcharities,thecompanyisaffectedbyboththebudgetary

constraintsimplementedbythenationalgovernmentandthedeterioratingexternaleconomicconditions.

Thedirectorsareconfidentthatthecompanyhasadequatefinancialresourcestocontinueinoperational

existencefortheforeseeablefuture.

Fraud RiskThisriskismitigatedbymaintainingsegregationofdutiesforreceiptoffundsandthepaymentofcreditors.

Thedirectorshaveputprocessesandcontrolsinplacetoensurethatdetailedcheckingiscarriedoutatall

stagestoensuretheaccuracyandvalidityofalltransactions.

AuditorsTheauditors,AnneBradyMcQuillansDFK,haveindicatedtheirwillingnesstocontinueinofficein

accordancewiththeprovisionsofSection160(2)oftheCompaniesAct,1963.

Companies (Amendment) Act, 1986ThereportingrequirementsoftheCompanies(Amendment)Act,1986relatingtoFinancialStatementsdonot

applyasAONTASisacompanylimitedbyguaranteeandnothavingasharecapital.

events after the Balance Sheet dateTherehavebeennocircumstancesoreventssubsequenttotheyearend,whichrequireadjustmenttoor

disclosureinthefinancialstatementsorinthenotesthereto.

OnbehalfoftheBoard

Ms.ElizabethWaters Ms.MariaGorman

President Hon.Treasurer

Date:27thApril2013



33

Statement of directors’ Responsibilities

ThedirectorsareresponsibleforpreparingtheDirectors’Reportandthefinancialstatementsinaccordance

withapplicableIrishlawandGenerallyAcceptedAccountingPracticeinIrelandincludingtheaccounting

standardsissuedbytheAccountingStandardsBoardandpublishedbytheInstituteofCharteredAccountants

inIreland.

IrishCompanyLawrequiresthedirectorstopreparefinancialstatementsforeachfinancialyearwhichgivea

trueandfairviewofthestateofaffairsofthecompanyandofthesurplusordeficitofthecompanyforthatyear.

Inpreparingthosefinancialstatements,thedirectorsarerequiredto:

- selectsuitableaccountingpoliciesandthenapplythemconsistently.

- makejudgementsandestimatesthatarereasonableandprudent.

- preparethefinancialstatementsonthegoingconcernbasisunlessitisinappropriatetopresumethatthe

companywillcontinueinbusiness.

Thedirectorsconfirmthattheyhavecompliedwiththeaboverequirementsinpreparingthefinancialstatements.

Thedirectorsareresponsibleforkeepingproperbooksofaccountwhichdisclosewithreasonableaccuracyatany

timethefinancialpositionofthecompanyandtoenablethemtoensurethatthefinancialstatementsareprepared

inaccordancewithaccountingstandardsgenerallyacceptedinIrelandandwithIrishstatutecomprisingthe

CompaniesActs,1963to1983and1990to2012,andallRegulationstobeconstruedasonwiththoseActs.

Theyarealsoresponsibleforsafeguardingtheassetsofthecompanyandhence,fortakingreasonablestepsforthe

preventionanddetectionoffraudandotherirregularities.

Insofarasthedirectorsareaware:

- thereisnorelevantauditinformation(informationneededbythecompany’sauditorsinconnectionwith

preparingtheirreport)ofwhichthecompany’sauditorsareunaware;and

- thedirectorshavetakenallthestepsthattheyoughttohavetakentomakethemselvesawareofanyrelevant

auditinformationandtoestablishthatthecompany’sauditorsareawareofthatinformation.

OnbehalfoftheBoard



Date:27thApril2013



34

independent Auditors’ Report to the members of AONTAS

WehaveauditedthefinancialstatementsofAONTASfortheyearended31stDecember2012which

comprisestheStatementofFinancialActivities,BalanceSheet,CashFlowandtherelatednotes.These

financialstatementshavebeenpreparedundertheaccountingpoliciessetouttherein.

Respective Responsibilities of directors and AuditorsAsdescribedintheStatementofDirectors’Responsibilitiesthecompany’sdirectorsareresponsibleforthe

preparationofthefinancialstatementsinaccordancewithapplicablelawandgenerallyacceptedaccounting

practiceinIrelandincludingtheaccountingstandardsissuedbytheAccountingStandardsBoardandpublished

bytheInstituteofCharteredAccountantsinIreland(GenerallyAcceptedAccountingPracticeinIreland).

Ourresponsibilityistoauditthefinancialstatementsinaccordancewithrelevantlegalandregulatory

requirementsandInternationalStandardsonAuditing(UKandIreland).

Thisreportismadesolelytothecompany’smembers,asabody,inaccordancewithsection193ofthe

CompaniesAct,1990.Ourauditworkhasbeenundertakensothatwemightstatetothecompany’smembers

thosematterswearerequiredtostatetotheminanauditor’sreportandfornootherpurpose.Tothefullest

extentpermittedbylaw,wedonotacceptorassumeresponsibilitytoanyoneotherthanthecompanyandthe

company’smembersasabody,forourauditwork,forthisreport,orfortheopinionwehaveformed.

Wereporttoyououropinionastowhetherthefinancialstatementsgiveatrueandfairviewinaccordance

withtheGenerallyAcceptedAccountingPracticeinIrelandandareproperlypreparedinaccordancewiththe

CompaniesActs1963to1983and1990to2012.Wealsoreporttoyouwhetherinouropinion:properbooks

ofaccounthavebeenkeptbythecompanyandwhethertheinformationgivenintheDirectors’Reportis

consistentwiththefinancialstatements.Inaddition,westatewhetherwehaveobtainedalltheinformationand

explanationsnecessaryforthepurposesofouraudit,andwhetherthefinancialstatementsareinagreementwith

thebooksofaccount.

Wereporttothemembersif,inouropinion,anyinformationspecifiedbylawregardingdirectors’remuneration

ordirectors’transactionsisnotdisclosedand,wherepracticable,includesuchinformationinourreport.

Wereadthedirectors’reportandconsiderimplicationsforourreportifwebecomeawareofanyapparent

misstatementswithinit.



35

independent Auditors’ Report to the members of AONTAS

Basis of Audit OpinionWeconductedourauditinaccordancewithInternationalStandardsonAuditing(UKandIreland),issuedby

theAuditingPracticesBoard.Anauditincludesexamination,onatestbasis,ofevidencerelevanttotheamounts

anddisclosuresinthefinancialstatements.Italsoincludesanassessmentofthesignificantestimatesand

judgementsmadebythedirectorsinthepreparationofthefinancialstatements,andofwhethertheaccounting

policiesareappropriatetothecompany’scircumstances,consistentlyappliedandadequatelydisclosed.

Weplannedandperformedourauditsoastoobtainalltheinformationandexplanationswhichweconsidered

necessaryinordertoprovideuswithsufficientevidencetogivereasonableassurancethatthefinancial

statementsarefreefrommaterialmisstatement,whethercausedbyfraudorotherirregularityorerror.In

formingouropinionwealsoevaluatedtheoveralladequacyofthepresentationofinformationinthefinancial

statements.

WehaveundertakentheauditinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheAPBEthicalStandardsincludingthe

APBEthicalStandard,ProvisionsAvailableforSmallEntities.

OpinionInouropinionthefinancialstatements:

- giveatrueandfairview,inaccordancewithGenerallyAcceptedAccountingPracticeinIreland,ofthestate

ofthecompany’saffairsasatthe31stDecember2012andofitsnetincomingresourcesandcashflowsfor

theyearthenended:and

- havebeenproperlypreparedinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheCompaniesActs,1963to1983

and1990to2012.

Wehaveobtainedalltheinformationandexplanationsweconsidernecessaryforthepurposesofouraudit.

Inouropinion,properbooksofaccounthavebeenkeptbythecompany.Thefinancialstatementsarein

agreementwiththebooksofaccount.

Inouropinion,theinformationgiveninthedirectors’reportisconsistentwiththefinancialstatements.

Section40(1)oftheCompanies(Amendment)Act1983doesnotapplyasthecompanyislimitedbyguarantee.

NatalieKelly(StatutoryAuditor)

Forandonbehalfof

AnneBradyMcQuillansDFK

CharteredAccountants

&RegisteredAuditors

IveaghCourt

HarcourtRoad

Dublin2

Date:27thApril2013



36

Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st december 2012

2012 2011

Notes a a

Income

RestrictedAndUnrestrictedFunds 3 917,720 1,149,839

ResourcesExpended

Administration

Salarycosts 163,047 169,798

Pensionscheme 23,384 26,441

Stafftrainingandexpenses 11,071 13,185

Sundrystaffcosts 2,436 2,930

Postageandcourierservices 15,706 19,666

Stationery 4,065 5,483

Telephone 6,484 7,472

Travelandsubsistence 8,742 5,841

Executiveandgeneralcommitteeexpenses 8,094 8,186

Legalfees 393 7,945

Auditandaccountancyfees 6,850 6,748

Bankinterestandcharges 953 681

Representationandaffiliation 13,652 12,975

Miscellaneous - 536

Rentofvenuesandequipment 958 825

Computercosts - 1,345

Researchandprojectsapportionments (2,758) (23,126)

263,077 266,931

Premises

Lightandheat 3,918 3,692

Rentandrates 78,307 78,817

Repairsandmaintenance 15,714 20,037

Leasingcharges 4,413 4,341

Insurance 6,945 6,589

Cleaning 3,547 4,233

Depreciationofcomputersandofficeequipment 6,053 10,634

Deficitondisposaloftangibleassets - 320

118,897 128,663



37


2012 2011

Notes a a

Development

Salarycosts 329,781 348,363

Pensionscheme 47,477 39,231

Consultantsandcontractstaff - 65

Accommodationandsubsistence 2,841 2,761

Printingandpublications 34,993 44,026

Conferences/seminars/membershipmeetings 10,434 57,202

Publicrelationsstrategy 2,982 4,092

AdultLearnersFestival 97,054 92,967

Informationresources 4,836 2,226

Recruitment 360 90

Childcare 275 275

531,033 591,298

ResearchAndProjects

Research 9,347 21,687

QualityAssuranceFramework - 62,963

GrundtvigSowingtheLearningSeeds 4,258 13,806

WheelTrainingLinks 6,927 -

20,532 98,456



38


Restricted

Funds

Unrestricted

Funds Total Total

2012 2012 2012 2011

Notes a a a a

Incomingresources

Incomingresourcesfrom

restrictedactivities3 12,488 - 12,488 96,187

Incomingresourcesfrom

unrestrictedactivities3 - 905,218 905,218 1,050,531

Totalincomingresources 12,488 905,218 917,706 1,146,718

Resourcesexpended

Totalresourcesexpended (12,488) (921,051) (933,539) (1,085,348)

Operating(deficit)/surplus - (15,833) (15,833) 61,370

Interestreceivableand

similarincome- 14 14 22

Net(deficit)/surplus

resourcesforyear12 - (15,819) (15,819) 64,491

Thestatementoffinancialactivitiesincludesallgainsandlossesrecognisedintheyear.Allincoming

resourcesandresourcesexpendedderivefromcontinuingactivities.

Thenotesonpages41–47formpartofthefinancialstatements.

ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardon27thApril2013andsignedonitsbehalfby





39

Balance Sheet as at the 31st december 2012

2012 2011

Notes a a a a

Fixedassets

Tangibleassets 8 17,359 4,080

Currentassets

Debtors 9 23,322 22,161

Cashatbankandinhand 92,265 97,517

115,587 119,678

Creditors:amountsfallingduewithinoneyear 10 (9,165) (8,292)

Netcurrentassets 106,422 111,386

Totalassetslesscurrentliabilities 123,781 115,466

Accrualsanddeferredincome 11 (24,134) -

Netassets 99,647 115,466

Funds

Unrestrictedfunds 12&15 99,647 115,466

Totalfunds 99,647 115,466







40

Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st december 2012

2012 2011

Notes a a

Reconciliationof(deficit)/surplustonetcash(outflow)/inflow

fromoperationactivities

Net(outgoing)/incomingresources(beforeinterest) (15,833) 64,469

Depreciation 6,053 10,954

(Increase)/decreaseindebtors (1,161) (10,509)

(Increase)/decreaseincreditors 873 (199,512)

Governmentgrantreleased (3,866) -

Netcashoutflowfromoperatingactivities (13,934) (134,598)

Cashflowstatement

Netcashoutflowfromoperatingactivities (13,934) (134,598)

Returnsoninvestmentsandservicingoffinance 13 14 22

Capitalexpenditure 13 8,668 (2,906)

Decreaseincashintheyear (5,252) (137,482)

Reconciliationofnetcashflowtomovementinnetfunds

(Note14)

Decreaseincashintheyear (5,252) (137,482)

Netfundsat1stJanuary2012 14 97,517 234,999

Netfundsat31stDecember2012 92,265 97,517







41

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st december 2012

1. Accounting Policies Thefollowingaccountingpolicieshavebeenappliedconsistentlyindealingwithitemswhichareconsidered

materialinrelationtothecompany’sfinancialstatements.

1.1. Accounting Convention Theaccountshavebeenpreparedunderthehistoricalcostconventionandwithreferencetothe

recommendationsoftherevisedStatementofRecommendedPractice(SORP)AccountingandReporting

byCharitiesissuedbytheCharityCommissionersin2005.

1.2. Tangible Fixed Assets and depreciation Alltangiblefixedassetsareinitiallyrecordedathistoriccost.

Depreciationisprovidedonalltangiblefixedassetsatratescalculatedtowriteoffthecostorvaluation,less

residualvalue,ofeachassetoveritsexpectedusefullife,asfollows:

Fixtures,fittingsandequipment – 20%StraightLine

Computerequipment – 20%StraightLine

Officeequipment – 20%StraightLine

1.3. leasing Commitments Rentalspayableunderoperatingleasesarechargedagainstincomeonastraightlinebasisovertheleaseterm.

1.4. income Resources GrantincomereceivablefromtheDepartmentofEducationandScienceandgrantincomereceivablefrom

TUI,NQAIandTeagascaretreatedasbeingrestrictedastheincomesareappliedforparticularpurposes.All

otherincomereceivableistreatedasbeingunrestricted.

Voluntaryincomeincludingdonations,giftsandlegaciesandgrantsfromtheDepartmentofEducation

andSciencethatprovidecorefundingorareofgeneralnaturearerecognisedwherethereisentitlement,

certaintyofreceiptandtheamountcanbemeasuredwithsufficientreliability.Suchincomeisonlydeferred

when:

- Thedonorspecifiesthatthegrantordonationmustonlybeusedinfutureaccountingperiods;or

- Thedonorhasimposedconditionswhichmustbemetbeforethecharityhasunconditional

entitlement.

1.5. Resources expended Expenditureisrecognisedwhenaliabilityisincurred.Contractualarrangementsandperformancerelated

grantsarerecognisedasgoodsorservicesaresupplied.Othergrantpaymentsarerecognisedwhena

constructiveobligationarisesthatresultinthepaymentbeingunavoidable.

- Costsofgeneratingfundsarethosecostsincurredinattractingvoluntaryincome,andthoseincurred

intradingactivitiesthatraisefunds.

- Charitableactivitiesincludeexpenditureassociatedwiththeeducationalprogrammesincludeboth

thedirectcostsandsupportcostsrelatingtothisactivity.

1.6. Pensions AONTASoperatesadefinedcontributionschemeandpensionbenefitsarefundedovertheemployees’

periodofservicebywayofcontributionsfromthecompanyandemployees.Contributionsarechargedto

theStatementofFinancialActivitiesintheperiodtowhichtheyrelate.



42


2. Going Concern

Thecompanyisdependantonincomeprovidedfromgovernmentfunders,membershipanddonations.

Aswithmanygovernmentfundedcharities,thecompanyisaffectedbyboththebudgetaryconstraints

implementedbythenationalgovernmentandthedeterioratingexternaleconomicrestraints.Thedirectors

havereviewedallrelevantinformationandareconfidentthatthecompanyhasadequatefinancialresources

tocontinueinoperationalexistencefortheforeseeablefuture.Consequently,thedirectorsconsiderit

appropriatetopreparethefinancialstatementsonagoingconcernbasis.

3. Sources of income 2012 2011

a a

Restrictedfunds

DepartmentofEducation&SkillsGrants: 3,866 -

Research - 14,067

QualityAssuranceFrameworkProject - 56,710

NQAIFestivalsponsorship 4,000 4,000

TeagascFestivalsponsorship - 1,000

TUIFestivalsponsorship 1,000 1,000

ASTIFestivalsponsorship - 500

TheWheelTrainingLinksGrant - 4,000

BluebrickFestivalsponsorship - 750

GrundtvigSowingtheLearningSeeds 3,622 14,160

12,488 96,187

Unrestrictedfunds

DepartmentofEducation&Skills:

GrantinAid(CoreFunding) 887,000 1,013,472

Members'subscriptions 17,889 20,568

Nationalconference (744) 16,491

Bankinterestreceived 14 22

Miscellaneous 1,073 3,099

905,232 1,053,652

Totalincome 917,720 1,149,839



43


2012 2011

a a

Includedinincomeaboveisdeferredincomefromtheprioryearasfollows:

DepartmentofEducation&SkillsGrants:

GrantinAid(CoreFunding) - 48,736

S.P.I.D.A.S.supplement - 68,736

DepartmentofEducation&SkillsGrants:

Research - 14,067

QualityAssuranceFrameworkProject - 54,575

GrundtvigSowingtheLearningSeeds - 13,788

- 199,902

Insummary

Incomereceivedintheyear 917,720 949,937

Deferredincomefromprioryear - 199,902

917,720 1,149,839

4. Net incoming/(Outgoing) Resources for the year

2012 2011

a a

Netincoming/(outgoing)resourcesfortheyearisstatedaftercharging

Depreciationoftangibleassets 6,053 10,634

Lossondisposaloftangiblefixedassets - 320

Operatingleaserentals

-Officeequipment 4,413 4,341

Auditors'remuneration 6,850 6,748



44


5. employees

2012 2011

Numberofemployees

Theaveragemonthlynumbersofemployeesduringtheyearwere 9 9

2012 2011

a a

Employmentcosts

Wagesandsalaries 492,828 518,161

Otherpensioncosts 70,861 65,672

563,689 583,833

6. Pension Costs Thecompanyoperatesadefinedcontributionpensionscheme.Contributionsaremadebyboththe

employeeandtheemployer.Theassetsoftheschemeareheldseparatelyfromthoseofthecompany

inanindependentlyadministeredfund.Thepensioncostchargerepresentscontributionspayableby

AONTAStothefundandamountto€70,861(2011:€65,672).

7. Taxation Nochargetocurrentordeferredtaxationarisesasthecompanyhasbeengrantedexemptionbythe

RevenueauthoritiesinIreland.



45


8. Tangible Assets

Computer

equipment

Office

equipment

Fixtures,

fittingsand

equipment Totals

a a a a

Cost

At1stJanuary2012 64,622 11,713 49,519 125,854

Additions 19,332 - - 19,332

At31stDecember2012 83,954 11,713 49,519 145,186

Depreciation

At1stJanuary2012 62,296 9,959 49,519 121,774

Chargefortheyear 4,447 1,606 - 6,053

At31stDecember2012 66,743 11,565 49,519 127,827

Netbookvalue

At31stDecember2012 17,211 148 - 17,359

At31stDecember2011 2,326 1,754 - 4,080

9. debtors

2012 2011

a a

Otherdebtors 16,358 15,197

Prepayments 6,964 6,964

23,322 22,161

2012 2011

a a

Includedinotherdebtorsisthefollowing

Membershipfees 5,525 15,197

Wagesandsalaries 3,240 -

Tradecreditorsoverpaid 7,593 -

16,358 15,197



46


10. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

2012 2011

a a

Tradecreditors 1,665 792

Accruals 7,500 7,500

9,165 8,292

11. Accruals and deferred income

2012 2011

a a

Governmentgrants

Increaseinyear 28,000 -

Releasedinyear (3,866) -

At31December2012 24,134 -

12. Reconciliation of movements in Funds

Statementof

FinancialActivities

2012 2011

a a

Fundbalanceatbeginningofyear 115,466 50,975

Netmovementinfunds (15,819) 64,491

Fundbalanceatendofyear 99,647 115,466



47


13. Gross Cash Flows

2012 2011

a a

Returnsoninvestmentsandservicingoffinance

Interestreceived 14 22

Capitalexpenditure

Paymentstoacquiretangibleassets (19,332) (2,906)

Receiptofgrant 28,000 -

8,668 (2,906)

14. Analysis of Changes in Net Funds

Opening

balance

Cash

flows

Closing

balance

a a

Cashatbankandinhand 97,517 (5,252) 92,265

Netfunds 97,517 (5,252) 92,265

15. Reserves

Balanceat

beginningof

year

Incoming

resources

Resources

expended

Transferto

designated

reserve

Balanceat

endof

year

a a a a a

Specificfunds

Restrictedgrants - 12,488 (12,488) - -

Unrestrictedgrants 70,466 905,232 (921,051) (10,000) 44,647

Designatedreserve 45,000 - - 10,000 55,000

115,466 917,720 (933,539) - 99,647

Attheyearendthedirectorsdecidedtotransferanadditional€10,000fromunrestrictedreservestoa

designatedreserve.Thedesignatedreservesistobeusedforthefollowingpurposes:

- Researchproject€50,000

- Professionalfeesinrelationtothepremises€5,000



48


16. Non-Audit Services Provided by Auditors Incommonwithmanyotherbusinessesofoursizeandnatureweuseourauditorstoprepareand

submitthefinancialstatements.

17. Status Theliabilityofthemembersislimited.

Everymemberofthecompanyundertakestocontributetotheassetsofthecompanyintheeventof

itsbeingwoundupwhiletheyaremembersorwithinoneyearthereafterforthepaymentofthedebts

andliabilitiesofthecompanycontractedbeforetheyceasedtobemembersandthecosts,chargesand

expensesofwindingupandfortheadjustmentoftherightsofthecontributorsamongthemselves

suchamountasmayberequired,notexceeding€6.35.

18. Approval of Financial Statements ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardonthe27thofApril2013andsignedonitsbehalf

by




11775_AR_Cover.indd 2 11/04/2013 15:25

Fold/flap Fold/flap

AONTAS National Adult Learning Organisation

2nd Floor, 83-87 Main Street, Ranelagh, Dublin 6Tel: (01) 406 8220/1Fax: (01) 406 8227Email: [email protected]


Mission stateMent of aontasThe mission of AONTAS is to

advocate for the right of every

adult in Ireland to quality

learning.

tHeMes anD PRinCiPLesThe work of AONTAS over

the period of the strategic

plan will focus on three key

themes underpinned by three

key principles.

VaLUeAONTAS as a membership organisation:

• believes in the concept

of lifelong learning as a

means of enabling people

to contribute to and

participate personally,

socially, economically

and collectively in the

development of Irish

society.

• affirms and supports

the key role of adult and

community education

in promoting equality,

social inclusion and active

citizenship.

• commits to the

development and

sustainability of a quality

adult and community

education service.

VoiCeAONTAS as a membership organisation:

• commits to acting as a

critical voice for the adult


sector, to lobby for change

and reach a wide audience.


voice of adult learners as

the core of its advocacy

work.


the key elements of

a quality adult and

community education

service and lobbying for its

development.

VisiBiLitYAONTAS as a membership organization:

• commits to promoting the

importance, value and role

of adult and community

education at local, national

and international levels.


achievements of adult

learners as a means of

drawing attention to the

key social purpose of adult

learning.


and demonstrating the

importance and quality of

the work done by the adult


service.

aontas exeCUtiVe CoMMittee MeMBeRs PresidentLiz Waters An Cosán

Hon. TreasurerCllr. Maria Gorman Kerry Education Services

Hon. SecretaryRuth Smith Tipperary Women’s Network

Organisational MembersDeborah Brock Dodder Valley Partnership

Lorraine Cunningham Blayney Blades

Mary Hilda Cavanagh IVEA

Mary Farrell Longford VEC

Tara Farrell Longford Women’s Link

Lorraine Hennessy INOU

Colm Kilgallon All Hallows College

Jim Prior City of Limerick VEC

Gillian Wild Waterford Institute of Technology

Individual MemberLiam Kilbride Presentation Education Development Office

aontas staffBerni Brady Director

Jacinta Cuthbert Head of Organisational Development

Niamh O’Reilly Head of Membership Services

Niamh Farren Communications Officer

Dympna Larkin Membership and Accounts Officer

Eleonora Peruffo Resources Officer

Kathryn Laing Festival Operations Officer

Katie O’Rourke Learner Supports Officer

Mairéad Tynan Reception Administrator

Design: www.language.ie

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Documents

Aontas Annual Report 2012