Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016
295. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has commenced the review of the barriers to education for lone parents; when the review will be concluded; the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/16]
View answerIn line with the Programme for Government commitment, an independent expert has been engaged by my Department to review the obstacles to lone parents participating in and completing higher education, with a view to making recommendations.
The review is currently under way and is expected to be completed in the autumn. The terms of reference for the review are attached.
The successful Tenderer will
- Examine existing data to identify the trends in participation and completion rates by lone parents in higher education, and identify measures to strengthen data collation on lone parents in the future.
- Describe the range of measures that are currently available to support lone parents in accessing higher education, including supports in the school and further education sectors
- Identify obstacles and challenges for the various different categories of lone parents in accessing and completing higher education programmes
- Recommend additional measures that would support the different categories of lone parents to access and complete higher education programmes, and provide costings for those recommendations
- Highlight potential models of ‘good practice’ in Ireland or elsewhere that could be considered for wider dissemination.
- Report on progress to a steering committee that will be chaired by the Department of Education and Skills, and which will comprise representation from the Departments of Social Protection, and Children and Youth Affairs.
- Produce a report on the outcome of the review, including findings and recommendations, before 31 August 2016.
