Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
456. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage participation of full-time first-time mature students in higher education each year since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32986/21]
View answerThe table below provides a summary of full-time mature new entrants in higher education (as a percentage of all new entrants) since 2015/2016.
The National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021 (NAP) was launched in December 2015, and aims to ensure that the student body entering, participating in, and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. First time Mature Students are specifically identified as a target group within the National Access Plan. There are two separate targets contained in the Plan, one for full-time mature entrants, and one for the combined total of full and part-time/flexible entrants as a percentage of all new entrants. For 2019, a participation target of 16% was set for the full-time mature entrants group and 24% for the full-time and part-time/flexible combined mature entrants group.
The 2018 Progress Review noted rates of participation by mature students had declined since the commencement of the NAP and recommended that research into participation by mature students be commissioned to examine the key influencing factors, including challenges and barriers. A firm of consultants were appointed by the HEA in 2020 to carry out the review and the final report was published on the 14th June 2021. The finalisation of the report is timely as it coincides with the consultation process on the next National Access Plan (2022-2026). Its findings and recommendations will input into the development of the next Plan and provide an evidence base for more effective targeting and tailoring of actions to support mature students.
Mature new entrants as a % of all new entrants
|
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
|
10.5% |
9.2% |
8.4% |
7.6% |
7.1% |
