Ballyhoura Development, in partnership with IRD Duhallow, warmly welcomes the announcement of funding for its upcoming initiative, Migrant Apprenticeship Pathways Ireland (MAP Ireland).
The initiative will build awareness, skills and participation among migrant communities in apprenticeships and employment and will officially launch in spring 2026.
Funded under the Integration and Employment of Migrants Action of the Employment, Inclusion, Skills & Training (EIST) Programme 2021–2027, and supported by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Government of Ireland, MAP Ireland will address barriers faced by rural migrant communities in accessing quality employment and apprenticeship pathways. The programme will focus on building awareness of available pathways, strengthening knowledge of the employment journey, and delivering targeted supports such as workplace language training, digital skills development, and sector-specific orientation.
Welcoming the announcement, Jess Angland, Chairperson of Ballyhoura Development, said:
“We are delighted to receive this funding, which will enable us to launch a programme that supports migrants in rural areas to access meaningful employment and apprenticeship opportunities. It is about creating pathways, building confidence, and working with sectors and employers. This investment will make a real difference in our communities.”
The project will partner with employers in priority rural sectors to promote inclusive recruitment processes and provide wraparound supports to support retention and progression in the workplace. Ultimately, MAP Ireland aims to deliver a replicable model for sustainable workforce inclusion, contributing to the ESF+ objective of improving employability and social inclusion for migrants.
Minister of State for Migration, Colm Brophy, announced €2.7 million in funding for eight projects nationwide under the EIST Programme, highlighting the importance of initiatives such as MAP Ireland in addressing language barriers, access to training, and social exclusion.
