Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022
258. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the funding made available in July to support Traveller and Roma participation in higher education through a three-year pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53945/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe deputy will be aware that the fourth National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) (2022 – 2028) was launched in August. It identifies several priority groups that are currently under-represented in higher education, including Irish Travellers and the Roma community. The new NAP sets ambitious targets for Traveller participation in Higher Education and for the first time, students from the Roma community have also been included as a key priority group.
To make a meaningful difference, and following on from the positive feedback on the Dormant Accounts Fund, funding of €450,000 per year for three years was approved by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to support HEIs to build long term relationships in their communities with the Traveller and Roma communities, by putting in place an infrastructure to support access, participation and success for students from the Traveller and Roma communities.
We are also in early discussions to consider the appointment of a PATH co-ordinator, for a three-year pilot basis, in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector to support Further Education – Higher Education transitions for priority groups with a particular focus on students from the Traveller and Roma communities.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) and my Department held a consultation event remotely on PATH 5 – Traveller and Roma Students in Higher Education on October 10th, 2022.
The purpose of the consultation event was to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share best practice, their experience of using the Dormant Accounts Fund to support Traveller and Roma students, and how these learnings can inform the principles and objectives of the new PATH 5.
