Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to safeguard third level access programmes for those persons from socioeconomic groups who have traditionally been excluded from such institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22334/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education, 2015-2019, identifies the six key target groups for my Department in relation to promoting access to higher education:

- Entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education.

- First time, mature student entrants.

- Students with disabilities.

- Part-time/flexible learners.

- Further education award holders.

- Irish Travellers.

My Department has allocated approximately €400 million to support these target groups in the 2016/17 academic year. The range of student supports that are available include the Student Grant Scheme, the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities.

The National Access Plan also contains a number of new actions that will benefit these target groups. These include reaching out directly to disadvantaged communities, encouraging more students from the target groups to access initial teacher education, and addressing non-completion in higher education. These actions are currently being progressed by my Department in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority.

In publishing the report of the expert group on future funding of the higher education sector, I recently indicated my intention to ensure that any additional funding for higher education would be supported by new performance-based funding mechanisms and new targets for improved outcomes for the users and funders of the service. This will include new targets that will widen access to and participation in higher education for students from disadvantaged areas and other underrepresented groups.