Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 285: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of mature students registered in third level education in 2009; the number of mature students registered in third level courses in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36509/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of mature students who have dropped out of third level education in 2009; the number of mature students who have dropped out of third level education in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36510/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 287: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the breakdown of mature students registered in respect of institutes of technology, colleges and universities in 2009 and for each of the past ten years; the breakdown of mature students who drop out in respect of institutes of technology, colleges and universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36511/09]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 289: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the effect of the economic recession on the enrolment of mature students into third level education. [36513/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 to 287, inclusive, and 289 together.

The table below shows the number of mature students (23+) who entered third level institutions for the first time from 1998/1999 to 2008/2009 by sector. The proportion of all new entrants to higher education institutions in those years who were mature students is also shown. Data for mature new entrants to part-time undergraduate courses, which is only available for the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 academic years, is also shown. Attrition rates are not currently available; however the Higher Education Authority is compiling a report on the issues of retention, progression and completion which will include an analysis of mature students. The report will be available early next year.

As shown in the table, considerable progress has been made in increasing the number of mature students entering higher education. One of the key objectives of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education, which I launched in July last year, is to progress the lifelong learning agenda through the development of a broader range of entry routes and a significant expansion of part-time/flexible courses in higher education. My Department is providing funding to a number of flexible learning projects under the Strategic Innovation Fund. An example of this is the recently launched Bluebrick.ie portal which allows prospective learners search and apply for part-time and flexible learning courses across the 14 Institutes of Technology.

Over 12,000 applications from mature students have been received by the CAO for full-time higher education programmes for the 2009/2010 academic year. This represents an increase of 30% on 2008/2009 and is likely to reflect the fact that many people who have been made redundant in the current economic climate have decided to return to education to upskill. Since the beginning of the year the Government has also launched a number of new initiatives to support unemployed people return to education and engage in upskilling. In the higher education sector measures include 2,500 new places to enable unemployed people pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses on a part-time basis; 280 places on a range of newly developed accelerated Level 6 Certificate programmes and over 900 places on a range of newly developed part-time transition programmes.

Other Colleges include: Mary Immaculate College Limerick, St. Patricks College Drumcondra, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Mater Dei College, National College of Art and Design.

Mature Part-Time Undergraduate New Entrants to Higher Education 2007/2008 to 2008/2009

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 288: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there are supports in place for mature students in third level education; if he or the Higher Education Authority will implement supports for mature students in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36512/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Over the past decade there have also been sustained levels of investment in the access programmes of higher education institutions. Each university has a dedicated Mature Student Officer who will liaise directly with a mature student in relation to their needs. In addition each Institute of Technology has an Access Officer who has responsibility for assisting mature students. These programmes play a key role in targeting the increased access and successful participation of mature students. Measures include the encouragement of prospective learners through open days, taster courses and outreach work with the further education and community sector. They also include programmes of post-entry support including the mentoring of mature students and learning support. Since 2006 a Strategic Innovation Fund has supported closer collaboration between higher education institutions in a number of key policy areas, including work to broaden routes of access to higher education and increase flexibility in models of course delivery.

The main financial support available to students in higher education is the Maintenance Grant. Mature students who are entering approved courses are eligible for financial assistance where they satisfy the relevant conditions including those relating to residence, means, age, nationality and previous academic attainment. Under the student grant schemes a mature candidate, if approved, is automatically provided with the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance which, this year, ranges from €855 to €6,690 dependent on individual circumstances. The entitlement to the non-adjacent rate applies regardless of how far the college is from the mature candidates residence and whether or not the candidate is dependent on or independent of his/her parent(s) or guardian(s).

The NDP funded 'Third Level Access Measure' is also supporting the participation of mature students in higher education, in particular those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The Student Assistance Fund is available in all recurrently funded higher education institutions. The Millennium Partnership Fund provides financial assistance for further and higher education students who are experiencing financial difficulties whilst participating in their studies. Mature students who have additional needs arising due to a disability or learning difficulty can make an application to the Fund for Students with Disabilities. Applications for support can be made via the access or disability service in the institution.

Last year I launched a National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008-2013. This plan builds on investment of resources and work that has taken place to date and sets new targets for the future including participation by mature students in Higher Education. A mid-term review of progress in the implementation of this plan and the achievement of these objectives will be conducted by the Higher Education Authority in 2010.