Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the implementation of the recommendations of a recently published report (details supplied) and in particular those recommendations related to making third-level education more affordable for mature students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36792/21]
View answerThe “Progress Review of the National Access Plan and Priorities to 2021” was published in December 2018. The Progress Review noted rates of participation by mature students had declined since the commencement of National Plan for Equity of Access 2015-2021. Participation rates for mature students fell from 13% to 9% for full-time students, and by 3% for full and part-time students. This coincided with a period of economic recovery and labour market reactivation unforeseen when the targets for the NAP were being set; this may have been a factor in the declining number of mature students.
The 2018 Progress Review recommended that research into participation by mature students be commissioned to examine factors, including challenges and barriers. The HEA commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to provide an independent study on mature student participation in higher education.
The report was recently published and can be accessed on the HEA’s website at: hea.ie/resource-category/access/publications/
The report provides a crucial insight into the challenges faced by the mature student population (current, former and prospective) in accessing and participating in higher education. Among its recommendations, the report calls for access targets and supports to be focused on disadvantaged communities as well as expanding opportunities for part-time learning. It calls for strong national provision of guidance and support for mature students as well as increasing provision for foundation/provision of bridging courses in partnership with further education, and the development of seamless pathways between further education and training and higher education.
The publication of this report in June is timely as it coincides with the consultation process on the next National Access Plan (NAP) which will cover the 2022-2026 period. Its findings and recommendations will input into the development of the next NAP and provide an evidence base for more effective targeting and tailoring of actions to support disadvantaged communities to enter higher education as mature students. The report also complements the work regarding the review of the Student Grant Scheme.
