Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Mar 1993

Vol. 427 No. 8

Written Answers. - Third Level Education.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

92 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to provide greater access to third level education and particularly to universities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds; if it is intended to abolish all fees at third level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

263 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if any further consideration has been given to the concept of free third level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 263 together.

The Government is committed to improving the access of all students to third-level education in the context of increased resources under the new Structural Funds.

I will be considering how most effectively to achieve this improved access and I will be placing special emphasis on facilitating the entry of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

My approach to ensuring greater access to third-level for students from disadvantaged backgrounds will encompass a number of strategies including: increasing retention up to the end of second-level through curricular initiatives and the development of support services in schools, e.g. student counselling and guidance services; tackling "out-of-school" factors, particularly, for example, through the development of home-school liaison in disadvantaged areas; further building on links between universities and second-level schools in disadvantaged areas in collaboration with the institutions; encouraging and supporting institutions in the development of access courses for students who require special assistance in making the transfer to third-level. I am not convinced that the abolition of all fees at third-level is the most effective way of achieving greater access to third-level, particularly from the lower income groups who are currently under represented at third-level. I believe that the resource needed for such an initiative can be more effectively utilised in targeted interventions aimed at students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This I believe is the more effective way to redress the current imbalance in participation rates and the most effective use of resources rather than a blanket abolition of all fees.