The National Adult Learning Organisation in Ireland (AONTAS) has published their research report ‘Community Education: More than just a course’. The research explored the outcomes and impact of government funded community education in relation to enhancing learning, fostering empowerment, and contributing to civic society. It also measured the wider benefits of learning (social, civic and health outcomes) to demonstrate how investment in education can decrease state spending in other policy areas, and can contribute to the functioning of democracy and achievement of equality. Key findings include:

• community education has wide ranging positive outcomes for learners, effectively engages some of the groups living with inequality in Ireland, and is very positively experienced by learners.
• community education pays for itself, as adults who participate in community education are motivated to volunteer once their learning is complete.