Great news for Cork.

Cork Life Centre, an alternative learning centre for children between the ages of 12 and 18 who have faced severe difficulties in mainstream education, say they are “cautiously optimistic” following increased funding from the Department of Education.

Education Minister Norma Foley has confirmed that funding has been provided in order to double the teaching hours of the centre.

Addressing the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Minister Foley said that her department had agreed to provide funding for the staff already in place at the centre, rather than pursue its original proposal to provide teachers through the Cork Education Training Board.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Cork Life Centre director Don O’Leary said there was more to be done in order to secure the long-term future of the centre.

“The last thing we would want is for anyone to think ‘the Life Centre is saved’, because we have a long way to go yet, but this is a positive step, and we are cautiously optimistic,” he said.

“Negotiations have been fraught at times, and it would have been a lonely station if we hadn’t been so heartened by the outpouring of good wishes we have received from people all over the country. That support has meant the world to the teachers and students of Cork Life Centre.”

The centre currently provides education for 55 students.