Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 2

Written Answers. - Higher Education Access.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The report of the steering committee on the future development of higher education recommended that a number of measures be introduced to enhance the participation of those from lower socio-economic groups in higher education.

In 1997 my Department provided £77,000 in direct financing for three access initiatives involving Dublin City University, University of Limerick and Trinity College to improve participation of pupils from disadvantaged areas at third level. The initiatives involve linkages between the colleges and local second level schools and incorporate supervised study facilities, extra tuition for pupils, information and advice for parents and pupils, including seminars, mentoring and support teaching in key subject areas.

In addition, the Higher Education Authority has provided £260,000 in 1996 and £475,000 in 1997 for initiatives in a number of colleges specifically relating to disadvantaged students. These initiatives build on existing programmes and involve links with second level schools and local communities. For this reason it will take some time for the effect of the programmes to be reflected in the actual numbers going on to higher education. The programmes will assist some students to meet the points requirement for courses, enabling them to obtain a college place through the standard CAO entry procedure. The other aspect of the programmes is the special entry arrangements through which more flexible entry criteria are applied and various supports put in place for students entering by this method. In 1997-98 it is estimated that there is an additional intake of about 80 students through the non-CAO route in the universities and it is expected that this level will increase in line with the targets set by the steering committee on the future development of higher education. Support for the university proposals is very firmly based on the intention of meeting these targets and annual progress reports will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority on each of the programmes funded.

In the technological sector, the Dublin Institute of Technology has a comprehensive set of activities in which the college is interacting with different disadvantaged groups in Dublin city. There are currently a number of courses in place for mature students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, a policy decision has been taken by the Dublin Institute of Technology authorities that direct entry should occur in relation to second level students from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not meet the normal admission criteria. The recruitment and admissions committee of Dublin Institute of Technology is discussing details of this decision, including the mechanism for its implementation and the quota of students involved.

In July, I established a joint education/industry task force to improve the supply of technicians for high-technology industries. A new national certificate in technology course, for which up to 300 students are being recruited, has been developed by the task force to commence in January 1998 in nine regional technical colleges. In seeking applicants for the courses, the aim is to attract the kind of applicant who might not previously have considered a technician career. These applicants might include, for example, mature applicants, who may have been out of the work-force for a while and under-employed or unemployed persons including those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative is in line with the commitment in Partnership 2000 to give priority to a strategy to enable non-standard applicants to participate in third level education.

The regional technical college equality network project which arose out of the EU programme New Opportunities for Women, is operational in six regional technical colleges. Programmes under the project are specifically aimed at encouraging more participation by women in third level education, with specific focus on women who have been disadvantaged by a lack of educational opportunities. In addition, Dublin Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology offer specific courses for second chance education for mature and disadvantaged women.

In 1995, approval was given for a pilot scheme which enables holders of NCVA Level 2 awards to progress to designated certificate and diploma courses in all regional technical colleges throughout the country. The scheme was extended to cover additional courses in regional technical colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology in 1996. This pilot scheme is an important development in establishing alternative progression pathways for students to higher levels of education and training.