Vol. 454 No. 1
48 Mr. D. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the amount of expenditure which has been allocated by her for research into educational issues in 1995; and the steps, if any, which are being taken to investigate the low levels of uptake of third level education among the most economically deprived communities within our society. [8111/95]
I have allocated a total of £310,000 in 1995 for research into educational issues.
The improved participation of the socially and economically disadvantaged groups in third level education is an issue of particular interest to me as Minister and I included it in the terms of reference of the Steering Committee on the future of Higher Education which I established in 1993 to advise on the future development of the higher education sector.
The Steering Committee is due to furnish its report shortly. As set out in the White Paper, the implications of the findings will be considered by the Higher Education Authority and following receipt of its advice and recommendations, I will make the necessary policy decisions having regard to available resources.
I also direct the Deputy's attention to the allocation of £100,000 for special initiatives to improve the retention of pupils from disadvantaged areas in second level education and to encourage their access into third level education. The initiatives which have been established to date and which are being financially assisted under the allocation are as follows:
Ballymun Comprehensive School and Dublin City University through the Ballymun Initiative for Third Level Education (BITE)
