Mr. Brian Power:

Equity of access to higher education has been identified as a national priority and has been clearly articulated as such in a number of published policy papers and reports, including in the national strategy for higher education, and the higher education system performance framework. National access plans are published by the Higher Education Authority in consultation with the Department and set out the specific objectives, actions and national targets for achieving equity of access to higher education over the lifetime of the plan, having regard to overall objectives.