In this report, the role of women's community education in combating poverty and disadvantage in Ireland over the past 10 years was examined, and future directions for policy and practice were suggested. The following data collection approaches were used: literature and policy document reviews; case studies involving regional workshops with participants and providers of women's community-based education in five areas across Ireland and a survey of the 91 workshop participants; structured interviews with key policymakers; and consultation with a research advisory group. The study confirmed that thousands of disadvantaged Irish women benefit from community-based educational opportunities each year. Underresourcing of appropriate support services and a lack of personal confidence and experience linked to women's traditional domestic roles/responsibilities and wider cultural attitudes were identified as the main barriers to women's participation in community education. The eight study recommendations included calls for providing the core funding required to give women's community-based education the continuity and security essential for service delivery and to develop comprehensive systems of supports for women learners and for women's community education groups and networks. Appendixes contain a list of project research team members and selected field work materials, including the interview questions, paper questionnaire, and focus group questions. (Contains 60 references.)(MN)