Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Third Level Participation.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

126 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science the measures proposed and funding allocated at pre-school, primary and secondary levels to facilitate greater access to third level education from pupils living in disadvantaged areas. [15838/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Since taking office, one of my top priorities has been the promotion of quality in, and equitable access to, education including, in particular, higher education. If we are to break cycles of disadvantage, open up opportunity and optimise our broader economic and social potential we have to ensure the broadest possible level of participation in higher education. It is my over-riding objective that support has to be targeted at those who are most in need and at an appropriate level.

This Government has ensured dedicated funding at an unprecedented level for third-level access programmes. Such funding has increased from a base of €508,000 in 1997 to €26 million in the current year. This, together with targeted funding by the HEA, over €6 million in 2002, and to the institutes of technology, has enabled the implementation of many of the key recommendations in the report of the action group on access to third level education to be set in train. I am committed to progressing these recommendations further.

I was particularly pleased, therefore, to be facilitated by the Government to announce, on 25 May 2003, a new package of measures costing €42 million in a full year and for which provision will be made in the Department's estimates for 2003 and 2004 to further address and ameliorate the problems facing students from low to moderate income households in accessing third-level education.

As the Deputy will be aware, this package combines substantial improvements in the level and coverage of the maintenance grant for those on low to moderate incomes, with increases in the level of top-up grant for those who are most disadvantaged.

I also granted approval in November 2002 for the establishment of the national office for equity of access to higher education within the Higher Education Authority which will be responsible for allocating funding for initiatives to promote equity in access. It is anticipated that the national office will be in operation prior to the start of the 2003-04 academic year.

In addition to the above named measures specifically designed to broaden access to third level education, I have also allocated more than €133 million in 2003 on measures at pre-school, primary and post-primary level which provide additional financial and teaching resources for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, thereby encouraging their continued participation in formal schooling and increasing their chances of progressing to third level education. This includes provision in the following areas: a sum of €7 million for pre-school programmes such as the early start pilot project which caters for pupils aged three to four years who are most at risk in areas of social disadvantage; over €70 million for disadvantaged programmes at primary level such as the disadvantaged areas scheme, home school liaison scheme, and the Giving Children an Even Break programme; a sum of €33 million for post-primary level disadvantaged schemes such as the disadvantaged areas scheme and home school community liaison scheme; and a sum of €23 million for the school completion programme in 2003 which encompasses primary and post-primary level and is a key component of my Department's strategy to discriminate positively in favour of children and young people who are at risk of early school leaving.