Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2005
42 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on the proposals in a recent report, Achieving Equity of Access to Higher Education in Ireland, that higher education institutes should have to prove the success of their access programmes for disadvantaged students before being allocated specific funding from the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3007/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 6 December last the Higher Education Authority published a national action plan 2005-06 for achieving equity of access to higher education. This plan was developed by the national office of the HEA, with the assistance of an advisory group representative of learners, education partners and social partners, as well as through a process of broader consultation.
The action plan identifies key goals and action points over the next three years to achieve equity of access to higher education for groups currently under-represented in the sector, such as persons with a disability, socio-economically disadvantaged school-leavers, mature students and members of the travelling community and ethnic minority groups.
A priority area for action in the plan is evaluation of access programmes which have been established in higher education institutions to ascertain what strategies and partnerships work best in achieving equity of access to higher education. Building upon this work, the national office will develop and support the implementation of a national framework of access policies and initiatives for each of the above target groups. This will include arrangements so that all disadvantaged regions, schools and communities are linked to access activities and programmes in at least one higher education institution in their region.
Quantitative and qualitative targets and indicators of progress for access programmes and activities in higher education institutions will also be developed and agreed with stakeholders so that the basis on which financial resources are allocated is clear and coherent. These indicators will also enable effective evaluation and monitoring of progress.
