Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was pleased to launch the new national access plan on 31 August 2022. This plan is genuinely the most ambitious vision we have ever set out for an inclusive and diverse higher education sector. It builds on the real and substantial progress made through the implementation of previous plans. I thank all those who worked so hard to make this a reality. It also recognises, however, that there are clearly significant barriers still existing for many people in accessing higher education and we must break them down. This plan will continue to target and support students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, students with disabilities and students from the Irish Traveller community. Critically, however, within these three core groups, the plan has identified specific cohorts of students who are particularly under-represented or marginalised to try to make progress in this regard. This includes students and mature students from disadvantaged areas; students with intellectual disabilities, whom I do not think had ever got enough attention in this area before; members of the Roma community; those who have experience of the care system - those children who have accessed care face a very immediate cliff edge and we need specific supports for them - of homelessness and of the criminal justice system; second-chance mature students, migrants and refugees; students who are survivors of domestic violence and students who are carers.

As the Deputy may have heard me say, the plan also moves beyond just a focus on access. It is intended to measure not just if people got inside the doors of colleges but what happened once they were inside. Were they able to participate fully? Did they get a meaningful education? Did they graduate and go on to employment? The plan will track the full education journey and it focuses as much on students' participation and ultimate success as it does on access. This shifts the focus from the point of entry to what makes an inclusive learning environment and what supports are required for students throughout their learning journey.

My Department is responsible for driving implementation of the plan, working in close collaboration with the HEA. A new steering group has been established to support implementation and this will include representatives of priority groups, as well as institutions and all relevant Departments. The first meeting of the group is planned to happen before the end of this year. Implementation of the national access plan is supported by a dedicated funding programme. As the Deputy will be aware, I put new funding streams in place for students with intellectual disabilities and autistic students.

See this speech in context