SETU and Tiglin today marked a significant milestone in their education initiatives with the launch of the SETU and Tiglin Project Report 2023–2025.
Hosted at Tiglin in Ashford, Co. Wicklow, and attended by James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science (DFHERIS), the launch brought together students, service users, community partners, educators, public representatives, and frontline service organisations to celebrate a partnership that has transformed hundreds of lives. Master of ceremonies was Senator Aubrey McCarthy, Co-founder and Chair of Tiglin.
Research to date has identified no equivalent initiative either nationally or internationally, positioning the project as a pioneering model of educational intervention within recovery journeys.
“This partnership between Tiglin, SETU and the HEA shows what happens when recovery and education walk hand in hand. People who once believed college was beyond their reach are now proud graduates. That is lifelong learning in action. It proves what we have always known in Ireland: Ní neart go cur le chéile, there is no strength without unity. Addiction does not define a person; potential does.”
James Lawless TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science.
The collaboration was first established in 2016, with the coming together of SETU’s Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning and Tiglin to support individuals overcoming addiction, homelessness, and other life-controlling challenges. The work has since expanded significantly through Higher Education Authority (HEA) Systems Performance Funding granted in 2023. The funding has enabled SETU and Tiglin to embed higher education directly into addiction recovery, homelessness services, and custodial settings.
The partnership expanded to include collaboration with Aiséirí, Treo Port Lairge, Tinteán, and the Irish Prison Service, with the aim of bringing higher education into spaces that have traditionally been excluded from the sector. In the past three years alone, more than 315 Tiglin residents have completed 29 accredited SETU programmes, alongside substantial participation from partner organisations.
“This programme has delivered more than three hundred third-level certificates, diplomas, and degrees to people in Tiglin’s care. What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is that many of those who took part came from homelessness and addiction, and many never engaged with third-level education before. This initiative has restored lives and created new ones.”
Senator Aubrey McCarthy, Co-founder and Chair of Tiglin.
While today’s event acknowledged the scale of the partnership and its national significance, the central focus remains firmly on the learners as individuals who, despite immense personal challenges, completed third-level courses, built new skills, and reimagined their future paths. Many of their stories are captured in the report, illustrating powerful journeys of resilience and hope.
“This collaboration reflects SETU’s mission to be a catalyst for opportunity and transformation. However, the real credit belongs to the students whose courage, commitment, and belief in their own potential have driven this project. Their achievements inspire us, and they guide the direction of our work going forward.”
Dr Helen Murphy, Head of Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning at SETU.
This report’s research findings demonstrate the positive impact of the partnership between SETU and Tiglin in delivering accessible, tailored education to individuals in recovery and community development settings. The continued participation and achievement of the students reflect the success of providing higher education in supportive, recovery-focused environments that promote confidence, engagement, and lifelong learning.
Research findings confirm that participation in SETU programmes significantly enhanced learners’ self-confidence, well-being, and professional skills. Participants reported increased belief in their abilities, improved communication and teamwork skills, and greater readiness for future study or employment. Many described the courses as transformative, supporting both personal growth and practical skill development.
Today’s launch not only celebrates what has been achieved but signals a strong commitment to expanding this work further. The SETU and Tiglin collaboration represents a blueprint for inclusive, socially impactful education at a time when Ireland increasingly seeks solutions that combine community development and lifelong learning.