A Dublin City University (DCU) outreach programme that aims to encourage local people to return to education was officially opened by the Minister of State for Lifelong Learning in Ballymun today.
Speaking at the opening of the "DCU in the Community" building on Shangan Road in Ballymun, Sean Haughey paid tribute to the "pioneering work" by DCU that had led to its construction.
He acknowledged that for many people living in the area, formal education may not have been a satisfying period in their lives. But he said Government efforts to promote lifelong learning include allowing people to access education at any stage in their lives.
This benefited not just the individual, but also the wider economy at a time when the country needs to be competitive in relation to upskilling, he said.
"This centre is a hugely important initiative which will serve to improve third-level access and increase participation in higher education in the Ballymun area, particularly for those who may not otherwise consider moving on to university," he added.
The new centre forms part of DCU's continuing "civic engagement" strategy, which aims to link the resources of the university to its neighbouring communities.
The centre has already piloted a number of short courses in areas such as communications and computers. These seek to introduce people to third level education by giving them a "taste" of what life may be like at third level.
Prof Ferdinand von Prondzynski, president of DCU, highlighted the work being undertaken at the university to promote interaction with the local community, stressing that DCU is a "north side of Dublin university".
"Ballymun should see DCU as one of its institutions," he said. "DCU is open to everyone."