Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount it costs to run the HEAR and DARE initiatives on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35433/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The management and operation of DARE and HEAR are undertaken jointly by the IUA and the CAO. The IUA is responsible for both the criteria and HEIs participation in DARE and HEAR. The CAO is responsible for the operational aspects of DARE and HEAR (including the application, assessment and communications).

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has no direct role in the running costs for these schemes. It is however understood that the cost of the IUA's part of the roll out of the schemes is circa €100,000 pa and the cost of the elements organised by CAO is circa €300,000.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that has been allocated to fund the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2021-2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35434/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The overall vision of the National Access Plan is to ensure that the student body entering into, participating in and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland's population.

The Plan identifies the target groups that are currently under-represented in higher education. These include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education, Irish Travellers, students with disabilities, first time mature student entrants, part-time/flexible learners and further education award holders. Lone parents are also included in this grouping.

Public consultation process on the new National Access Plan 2022 -2026 closed on 8th June 2021. All interested parties were invited to make their views known on this matter and other matters related to access to higher education particularly for groups who are underrepresented in the higher education population.

Individual stakeholder meetings is on-going with other Government Departments and will be on going over the coming weeks. It is planned to have the new NAP published at the end of 2021.

All proposals made in relation to the National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education including expenditure for the duration of the plan will be considered in the context of the estimates process in line with the annual Budget.