Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on linking budget allocation for third level institutions to results achieved in improving third level access to students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44336/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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In July of this year I launched the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-2013. One of the key objectives of this plan is to mainstream our approaches to improving access to higher education, including reflecting the importance of access in the funding model for the sector. Since 2006 the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM), which is the Higher Education Authority (HEA) model for allocating funding to the universities and other institutions, has included an allocation for under-represented groups in higher education.

The purpose of this funding allocation is to reflect the costs to institutions of attracting and supporting students who come from non-traditional backgrounds. The funding applies a 33% additional per student weighting linked to the number of students from under-represented groups. This approach is being reviewed in context of more detailed data that has been gathered through an 'Equal Access' data collection mechanism. This new mechanism, for the gathering of standardised data on students' social, economic and cultural background, was introduced as part of the registration processes of the majority of higher education institutions last year.

As well as under-pinning the extension and development of the funding model, developments of the evidence base for access will advance a number other key objectives of the National Access Plan. It will enable better strategic planning for access at both sectoral and local level, in particular the setting of new national and institutional targets for participation by under-represented groups. It will also support meaningful evaluation of the impact of policies to broaden access and participation in higher education.