Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2016
85. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills to support Aontas in its efforts to build further on adult learning in third level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4561/16]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that it has been national policy since 2005 to target support for those mature students (defined as those aged 23 or over on 1 January of the year of their entry to higher education) who have not previously benefitted from higher education and who enter college to complete a full time course. Since 2011 the Higher Education Authority has incentivised higher education institutions to enrol mature students.
The number of mature entrants to higher education, as a percentage of full-time undergraduate new entrants, has risen from 2% in 1986 to 12% in 2014. The new National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education has targeted an increase to 16% of full-time undergraduate new entrants. In addition, and reflecting the increasing importance of part-time and flexible learning opportunities for mature students, a target of 24% of has been set for combined full-time and part-time/flexible participation of mature students in higher education.
