Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 3

Written Answers. - Access to Education.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

389 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to develop a national strategy on access to education in universities and institutes of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28485/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Since 1996, my Department has provided funding through the Higher Education Authority for the universities for the targeted initiative aimed at widening access for young people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

This initiative involves links with second level schools designated as disadvantaged, involving liaison and outreach work. There are two aspects to the programmes: one involves assistance for students to meet the points requirement for courses, enabling them to obtain a college place through the standard CAO entry procedure – there are, for example, mentoring programmes and summer schools for potential students; 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 relation to initiatives focusing on the transition from second to third level and on the third level sector, many colleges have developed initiatives to promote disadvantaged access, through the targeted funding provided for the universities by the Higher Education Authority, and funding from within the overall financial allocations to the institutes of technology.

Apart from the maintenance grant schemes and the free fees initiative, under which my Department meets the cost of tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students in approved institutions, financial support is also available to students through the student assistance-access fund. The objectives of the fund are to assist students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise, due to their financial circumstances, be unable to continue their third level studies. The fund is administered by the third level institutions and provides direct financial support for disadvantaged students to assist them to remain on in college to complete their studies. I have recently increased the provision for this fund from £1.296 million in 1999 to £1.8 million in 2000.

In September of this year, I established an action group on access to third level education. This action group will advise me on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote participation at third level by students in three target groups – students with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and mature second chance students. Building on current initiatives, it will, inter alia, advise on the development of targeted interventions and actions at all levels. I have asked the group to provide a report to me within three months. The creation of this group is in line with a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

The need to target resources at those most in need is well recognised and underpins my approach to tackling disadvantage. In this regard there is provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling £95 million over the period of the plan, aimed at tackling under-representation by the three target groups. The objective of this measure is to facilitate and improve access to the labour market for the beneficiaries whilst improving their long-term employability through enhancing their educational qualifications.

As an indication of the Government's support in promoting equity in access and as an initial step, pending the findings of the action group, I announced the introduction of a special maintenance grant payable to disadvantaged grant holders, targeted at those most in need. The full rate of the special maintenance grant will increase from £1,775 to £2,000 for students residing more than 15 miles from college; and from £710 to £1,000 for students resident within 15 miles of college.

Tentative indications are that up to 10,000 students may benefit from this measure. This is, of course, a tentative estimate and the actual number of students to benefit will depend on the outcome to the action group's work. The group's terms of reference specifically require that it advise me,inter alia– on the development of targeted interventions and actions and the identification and tracking of the target groups.

Furthermore, I announced on 11 November that I was setting up a special project team to carry out a comprehensive review of every aspect of the maintenance grants, and other student supports, to ensure their relevance to the needs of present day third level students. This review will include the level of grants, the methods by which they are paid, eligibility and income limits, accommodation needs, student support services, the most suitable paying agency, the provision of an appeals system, student loans and taxation measures. The project team is to report to me by the end of March 2001.