Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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587. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the new national access plan for higher education 2022-26 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18253/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am happy to report that work on finalising the next National Access Plan (NAP) is at an advanced stage.

Colleagues will soon be preparing a memo for Government with the intention of publishing the new Plan in the coming months.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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588. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will include care leavers as a priority cohort in the next National Access Plan for Higher Education 2022-2026. [18254/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am happy to report that work on the development of the new National Access Plan is at an advanced stage.

Following an extensive consultation process, over 122 submissions were received and reviewed from a wide range of stakeholders. It has been suggested in some of the submissions received that people in care and care leavers should be included as a priority group in the next Plan.

The Plan seeks to target vulnerable students or students who have experienced disadvantage and therefore face challenges in accessing higher education and experience belonging in higher education. The consultation process highlighted the importance of recognising and naming additional ‘priority groups’ in the NAP. I can say that all submissions received have been carefully considered in the development of the National Access Plan.

Colleagues are currently preparing a memo for Government with the intention of publishing the new Plan in the coming months.