Written answers

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Educational Disadvantage

8:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to widen and improve access to third level education for marginalised groups including students from low income backgrounds, mature and part-time students and students from minority groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17480/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Actions to improve access to third level education are being progressed through the implementation of the six-year National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (2008-2013). A mid-term review of this plan is being finalised for publication. This indicates that there is steady progress towards the objectives and targets in the national plan Key achievements include the development of access and lifelong learning plans for all higher education institutions funded by the HEA. These include plans for the continuation and development of programmes of work with young people and adults in schools and communities, particularly those in areas with high levels of socio-economic disadvantage and unemployment.

Work has also advanced on the development of broader routes of access, such as the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) for those with a disability. Following the release of the results of the 2011 census, further work will be undertaken on measurement of participation by target socio-economic groups. [jy Work on supporting the return to education by mature students has included the development of new part-time and flexible learning options, such as the Bluebrick and Labour Market Activation/Springboard initiatives. Significant progress is also being made on the reform and modernisation of student supports through the implementation of the Student Support Act 2011 by the Department of Education and Skills. Other measures to support broader access and participation include the continued allocation of the special rate of student grant, targeting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds; the allocation of over €15 million in Third Level Access funding for the direct support of students through the Fund for Students with Disabilities and the Student Assistance Fund. In 2011 the core recurrent funding to HEA-funded institutions was developed to include a targeted access element, the allocation of which is now linked to the number of students from target access groups participating in each higher education institution.

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