Written Answers. - Higher Education Grants.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:
175
Ms Enright
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his plans to examine the reasons for the low participation rates in third level education among those from County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27028/03]
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:
176
Ms Enright
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
his plans to examine the low participation rates at third level by students from County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27029/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The Higher Education Authority commissioned Professor Patrick Clancy to undertake national surveys of entrants to higher education in respect of the cohorts entering full-time higher education in 1980, 1986, 1992 and 1998. The most recent report entitled "College Entry in Focus: A Fourth National Survey of Access to Higher Education" is based on a national survey of all first enrolments of undergraduates in their first year of study as full-time higher education students in 43 colleges in autumn 1998. The study was based primarily on an analysis of personal demographic and educational data, which were abstracted from individual student record forms. Being the fourth in a series of national surveys carried out at six-yearly intervals, this study facilitates an analysis of changes in the pattern of participation over a period of 18 years.
An important feature of this study is the comprehensive analysis of national and county participation rates. Chapters five and six of the report examine national and county participation rates and a number of correlates of differential participation rates in an attempt to explain differences in admission rates by county. Rates of admission varied significantly by county. The report found that counties Laois and Offaly were in the lower third of ranking with an admission rate of less than 40%.
In an attempt to explain the differences the report looked at a multivariate of factors related to varying county admission rates. Three groups of variables were examined as possible predictors of county admission rates. The variables used involve measures of the distance from the nearest college, pattern of participation at second level and some socio-economic characteristics of the population of each county.
In all, 13 variables were chosen as possible predictors of differential admission rates. Initially these variables are individually correlated with county admission rates, following which multiple regression is used to ascertain which variables, considered separately and collectively, best account for differences in county admission rates.
There is a provision within the national development plan for a third level access fund totalling almost €121 million, over the period 2000 to 2006, to tackle disadvantage relating to participation at third level. The report of the action group on access to third level education, which was established to advise on the development of a co-ordinated strategy to increase participation of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students and students with a disability at third level, was published in July 2001. Department expenditure on third level access measures since 2001 has been as follows: 2001, €15.3 million; 2002, €23.98 million; 2003, €26.0 million, provisional.
The most significant spending recommendation of the report of the action group on access to third level education concerned the introduction of special rates of maintenance grants for disadvantaged students, commonly referred to as top-up grants. These recommendations were introduced, with retrospective effect, from the 2000-2001 academic year. Following a review early in 2002, I increased the annual income threshold for the special rates by 32%. For 2002-03, I also increased the special rate of grant to €4,000 for students residing more than 15 miles from college and to €1,600 for students residing within 15 miles of college. As a result of the review, it was expected that the number of students qualifying for the top-up grant in 2002-03 would double to 7,000 students. Recent figures show that this target was exceeded with approximately 8,000 students receiving the top-up grant in 2002-03.
A new millennium partnership fund for disadvantage was introduced with effect from 2001. The fund provides assistance to partnership companies and community groups to develop their support schemes for students from disadvantaged families. Area Development Management, ADM Limited, under whose aegis the partnerships operate, administers the fund. The total allocation for the 2001-2002 academic year was €1.2 million. For 2002-03, I increased the provision for the fund to €2 million. Allocations were made to 50 area partnerships and community groups in respect of the 2002-2003 academic year. The provision of €2 million will continue to be made in respect of the fund for 2003.
The report of the action group on access to third level education set out a co-ordinated framework of actions required to improve equity of access to third level. The group considered that a single co-ordinating body was essential in order to realise the framework. Accordingly, a key recommendation of the group was that a national office for equity of access to higher education be established to ensure the effective implementation of many of the recommendations in the report. I have given approval for the establishment of such an office within the Higher Education Authority. A number of senior staff have been recruited and I expect the office to be fully operational shortly. I anticipate that the office will facilitate the aim of increasing third level access by the three target groups, in partnership with my Department, the third level institutions and other stakeholders and agencies.
The Deputy will also be aware of my announcement, on 25 May, 2003, of a new package of measures costing €42 million in a full year to further address and ameliorate the problems facing students from low to moderate income households in accessing third level education. This package combines substantial improvements in the level and coverage of the maintenance grant for those on low to moderate incomes, with increases in the level of top-up grant for those who are most disadvantaged. I believe that this substantial package of measures will provide the opportunity, in an unprecedented manner, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their full potential in the education system.
