Sir, – In "Will Brexit make Erasmus scheme unworkable? (Opinion & Analysis, August 17th), Prof Paul McCutcheon rightly identifies the benefits of European mobility – cultural and educational enrichment, as well as increased opportunities and an enhancement of skills.
However, it is valuable to remember that these benefits are not limited to universities and their students. Erasmus for higher education is but one strand of the wider EU programme Erasmus+, which is open to the non-formal and informal education sectors as well as the formal.
In Ireland this means that organisations involved in youth work, adult education, school education or vocational education and training can send staff, learners and young people to Europe, or form strategic partnerships with European organisations.
The funding and support structure of Erasmus+ also opens these opportunities to those who might not traditionally avail of them due to economic or social factors.
In 2015, Léargas distributed funding to 162 Irish projects, enabling 6,500 people to train, volunteer or develop their learning in Europe.
We share Prof McCutcheon’s hope that Brexit will not prevent UK citizens from enjoying such opportunities into the future. – Yours, etc,
FIONNUALA BROUGHAN,
Communications Manager,
Léargas,
National Agency
for Erasmus+,
King’s Inns House,
Parnell Street,
Dublin 1.