Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a pity I do not have the table to hand because it would be interesting to examine the statistics, but I understand the table will be circulated with the reply in due course. Data released in March by the Higher Education Authority showed the greatest increase in those entering third level are from families with jobs that tend to be better paid. The findings also show a drop in college entry from people from less wealthy backgrounds. That is unsurprising but it is worrying. In my area there is particular concern not only about third level education but also second level. It has been found that Traveller children are dropping out of education at a very early age once again, despite the cycle having been broken. The same is true of those who in recent years were encouraged to continue until the leaving certificate and, thankfully, due to grants, were able to continue on to third level. We find that there has been a drift backwards.

What steps could be taken to ensure statistics are updated continually because the gap between each census is a long one? How could we address the issue, other than relying on the Higher Education Authority? Could we take other steps to ensure that data from the colleges are analysed every year by the Central Statistics Office to confirm or deny the recent trend, which is reverting back to where we were before the boom?

See this speech in context