John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

214. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding his work to make higher education and higher education institutions more accessible for those coming from communities with higher levels of disadvantage. [22300/26]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Supporting Inclusion is our higher education system is a key priority of the Department and this is clearly reflected in the Statement of Strategy.

Our policy intent on inclusion in Higher Education is articulated in the current National Access Plan which aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress.

The Plan identifies priority groups who are underrepresented in Higher Education including students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, students with a disability including an intellectual disability and students who are members of the Traveller & Roma Communities.

Recently a number of measures have been taken to support access to Higher Education for socio- economic groups identified including:-

• Improving the Student Grant Scheme including increases in maintenance rates and a permanent reduction in fees, which will support around 140,000 students
• Increasing the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) in higher education which brings it to over €10.5 million. FSD supports over 19,500 students.
• In further education and training, I recently announced, together with Minister Lawless, an increase in the Fund for Students with Disabilities in that sector, increasing the allocation from €5.7 million to €7.7 million, with the specific am of extending transport supports for learners with disabilities across all further education and training courses.
• Increasing the Student Assistance Fund funding to over €19.3m for the 2025/2026 academic year, this fund supports over 22,000 students each year
• Progressing work on Universal Design measures with 19 institutions receiving a total of €5.8m in funding up to 2026 to support projects.
• 193 students with intellectual disabilities are now enrolled in PATH 4 courses in 11 HEIs throughout the country. This is a ground breaking programme and to provide surety for its continuation the funding was extended up to 2028 for the programmes
• Mainstreaming funding for the Initial Teacher Education programme and the Higher Education Access Fund known as PATH 3, both of which are programmes under the National Access Plan
• The Department provides a student accommodation scheme for Traveller and Roma students and students who have experience of the care system, this scheme supported 142 students in the 25/26 academic year
• Continuing to support flexible and part-time courses which are now eligible for SUSI support
• There are now 38 tertiary courses in the academic year 2025/26 which increases access and provides opportunities to study in higher education for those are excluded from the traditional pathways. There will be 43 courses available for application in September 2026.