Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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136. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of spaces available on the third-level access course in each of the past five years and in the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25798/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including course provision relating to third level access programmes that are specific to each HEI.

The HEA is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate enrolment data from higher education institutions (HEI) but does not collect data on the Third level Access programmes or the number of spaces available as requested by the Deputy.

The HEA does collate certain data surrounding the targets and KPIs identified in the National Access Plan (2022-2028).The National Access Plan commits to the collection of data on key priority groups from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, students who are members of Irish Traveller and Roma Communities as well as students with disabilities including intellectual disabilities.

My Department is committed to the continued roll-out of supports and targeted initiatives to tackle educational disadvantage and support equity of access, participation and success in both further and higher education.