Written Answers - Third Level Places.
Jack Wall
Question:
252
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his plans for providing college places for persons from disadvantaged areas or disadvantaged schools; if he proposes to deal with the applications on an individual or area basis; when the plan will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14278/01]
Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods): The individual third level colleges operate special admission arrangements for mature students, disadvantaged students and students with disabilities, outside of the general admissions procedure through the Central Applications Office. Many of the colleges reserve a number of places each year for students coming from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
In the area of educational disadvantage, there is a range of initiatives spanning the first and second level systems and the transition from second to third level as well as at third level itself. As the Deputy will appreciate, fuller participation in third level depends on measures to ensure access to and retention of students in full-time education at first and second levels.
Most third level colleges have developed initiatives to promote disadvantaged access, through targeted funding provided to the universities by the Higher Education Authority and funding from within the overall financial allocations to the institutes of technology. These initiatives involve links with second level schools and local communities. Examples of these activities include supervised study programmes, summer schools, study skills programmes and mentoring. There are two aspects to these programmes. One involves assistance to students to meet the points requirements for courses, enabling them to obtain a third level place through the standard CAO entry procedure. The other aspect of the programmes is the special entry arrangements through which more flexible entry criteria are applied and various supports are put in place for students entering by this method.
The need to target resources at those most in need is well recognised and underpins my approach to tackling disadvantage. In this regard there is provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling £95 million over the period of the plan, aimed at tackling under-representation by the three target groups – students from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students and students with disabilities.
Last September I appointed an action group on access to third level education to advise me on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote access by students from the three target groups. The group was asked to advise on the specific interventions which would be most effective in making further progress in this area. I have recently received the report of the action group and I am considering its recommendations.
Question No. 253 answered with Question No. 251.
