Vol. 421 No. 6
10 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education if he will outline the progress which has been made to date in implementing the commitment given in section 69 (i) of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to target places for the disadvantaged at third-level by linking second-level schools with third-level institutions; if he will further outline the method of assessing the success of this commitment, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Discussions have been held with third level institutions in regard to arrangements for giving effect to the measures specified in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to facilitate access to third level education for students from disadvantaged areas. Analysis of the position in a number of second level schools in such areas has taken place in this regard also with a view to determining the constraints to improved participation.
In addition, the National College of Industrial Relations have been commissioned to undertake an initial programme in 20 Dublin schools in disadvantaged areas to improve retention rates to third level through the promotion of parental involvement in education.
The commitment is now two years old and I should like to know if any second level schools have been identified for the purpose of establishing links with identified third level colleges to improve participation rates. How many staff have been appointed or assigned to third level institutions in order to build up those links, which was also part of the commitment?
Progress is not moving at anywhere near the rate I should like it to move, which is why I emphasised strongly in the Green Paper that progress in this area would have to move much more quickly. I am aware that a number of schools have been identified by several third level institutions. For example, Dublin City University have several lectures visiting schools in their area in an effort to establish links. A number of the other third level institutions are adopting a similar approach. I do not have a figure of the number of staff involved but I am seeking to encourage all third level institutions to establish links with schools in disadvantaged areas in order to ensure that there is a flow from those schools to third level institutions. I have to get more details from the universities and third level institutions about this matter. I am not satisfied that they are making progress as quickly as they should. The performance of some institutions is better than that of others. I intend to put the matter before them in much more trenchant terms.
I support the thrust of the comments by Deputy Gilmore. Is the Minister aware that at this stage a major impetus is needed? The problem has been diagnosed, as has its extent, and we are very strong in relation to prescriptions but we fall down when it comes to funding those arrangements. Does the Minister realise that there are huge areas of this city, particularly on the north side, where the participation rate is less than 1 per cent? Will the Minister accept that until such time as we devote geater resources towards getting those people to continue at second level education and follow on into third level education we will not break the social logjam that exists?
In relation to ESF grants, will the Minister abandon his plan and have the ESRI re-examine the merits of the third level system in toto?
The position at third level has improved dramatically. The number of students receiving grants, aid and so on has also increased dramatically. Much of the improvement is seen in the disadvantaged areas. Forty per cent of school leavers now take up third level education. Back in 1980 that figure was only 20 per cent. It is hoped that in a short period the figure will reach 45 per cent. There are 75,000 students now enrolled at third level institutions, an increase of 60 per cent in the past decade. It is envisaged that that number will increase by perhaps another 20 per cent between now and 1995 or 1996. More than half of all students are in receipt of State support. Under those schemes, and the growth that has taken place, many students from disadvantaged areas are being picked up. The real answer is to improve the retention rates at second level education. Universities, and other third level institutions, can do something in that regard. If the retention rates at second level education can be improved there will be a better chance of increasing the participation rate at third level education. I shall again remind third level institutions of their commitment to establish the links and I shall report to the House on that again at a later date.
The Deputy's query about ESF grants is a separate issue. However, the Deputy knows that the current position is that it is proposed to proceed in the autumn.
Would the Minister accept that the thrust of the approach he has taken in relation to the regional technical colleges legislation, in other words, the serving of the vocational education committee link, runs completely counter to the commitment contained in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress? The vocational education committee arrangement in regard to second level schools and third level colleges provided a link between those schools and colleges previously and the severing of that link will run counter to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress commitment. Has the Minister given any thought to the way the new regional technical college in Tallaght might establish links with second level schools in that area with a view to increasing participation rates?
That matter is certainly worthy of a separate question.
The vocational education committees have not been abolished. They still exist and play a key role. They carry out a whole range of functions. I introduced four simple but important amendments, which I told the House about earlier. They do not denude the vocational education committees to any great extent. Some authority is pushed further down to the boards but the vocational education committees can still play a very valuable role in forming the kind of links between second level and third level education that the Deputy would wish for.
In relation to the regional technical college in Tallaght, I shall certainly ensure that the college are well aware of their duty to make those links with second level schools.
