Minister Harris meets students and staff to discuss progress of Equity of Access in Higher Education
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 27 April 2023
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today attended the Access Forum for the fourth National Access Plan 2022-2028.
The National Access Plan has dedicated an additional investment of €35 million over 7 years to increase participation in Higher Education among specific students groups - students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, students who are members of Irish Traveller and Roma communities and students with disabilities including intellectual disabilities.
The Forum is focused on the implementation of the fourth National Access Plan.
At the event students shared their views and experiences on access issues with policymakers and stakeholders.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“Since becoming Minister it has been my overriding objective to create a higher education system that is equal and accessible to all.
“My first and foremost priority has been inclusion. And I believe this is one of the most ambitious plans for equality in higher education we have ever had.
“The student must be at the centre of all that we do and this Forum provides a collective opportunity to report and reflect on progress achieved and to challenge ourselves on what we can do better to ensure their pathway is as smooth as possible."
Minister Harris continued:
“I am pleased that since the National Access Plan was launched, I have been able to introduce new initiatives to support its goals.
“These include a €12 million investment over four years to support Universal Design and enhanced provision for students with an intellectual disability and additional bursaries for students from a disadvantaged socio-economic background.
“I have also ringfenced over €1.35 million of funding to improve access to and participation of Traveller and Roma Communities within Higher Education.
“Collaboratively we can make a very significant difference to the landscape of higher education, enhancing the lives of individuals, families and communities.”
This was the sixth annual National Access Forum and the first one to be held in-person since 2020.
Notes
Background
On Wednesday 31 August 2022, DFHERIS in collaboration with the HEA launched the Fourth National Access Plan – ‘A strategic action plan for equity of access, participation and success in higher education, 2022 to 2028’.
This is a seven-year plan with an extra investment of €35 million over its lifetime.
The Plan sets out our vision for a more inclusive higher education system.
Ambitions of the plan are:
- the higher education student body at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population
- our higher education institutions are inclusive and responsive to students and communities, supporting student success, equity and diversity
Priority groups
The plan names more specific groups who need support the most. This includes expanding the target priority groups to under-represented students:
- who are socio-economically disadvantaged
- who are members of Irish Traveller and Roma communities
- with disabilities, including students with intellectual disabilities
This Plan is about students, and about equity and inclusion.
We recognise that students experiencing socio-economic disadvantage may come from various backgrounds. The plan identifies students who:
- are from a low-income background or socioeconomically disadvantaged area
- are first-time or second-chance mature students
- have experienced the care system, the criminal justice system or homelessness
- are lone or teen parents
- are carers
- are migrants, refugees or from an ethnic minority
- have experienced the international protection process
- are survivors of domestic violence
Targets
National targets for the new National Access Plan are as follows.
New entrants from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas
| Current transition rate between school and higher education | Target transition rate between school and higher education | |
| 42% | 54% |
New mature entrants from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas
| Current % of mature new entrants from disadvantaged areas (as a % of all disadvantaged new entrants) | Target % of mature new entrants from disadvantaged areas (as a % of all disadvantaged new entrants) | |
| 11% | 20% |
New entrants with a disability
| Current % of students with a disability (as a % of all new entrants) | Target % of students with a disability (as a % of all new entrants) | |
| 12.4% | 16% |
New entrants from the Traveller community
| Current number of Traveller new entrants | Target number of Traveller new entrants | |
| 33 | 150 | |
| Current % of Traveller new entrants (as a % of all new entrants) | Target % of Traveller new entrants (as a % of all new entrants) | |
| 0.07% | 0.32% |
Goals
The plan is not just about access to higher education, but also participation and success. The student has been placed at the core of this plan, with five student-centred goals:
- inclusivity
- flexibility
- clarity
- coherence
- sustainability
Underpinning these goals is a sixth goal, to have an evidence-driven approach. These six goals are the framework for implementing the new NAP.
Participation rates
Participation rates of some under-represented groups have increased since the start of the previous NAP. But in spite of clear progress, we still have a number of challenges to overcome.
There are less mature students participating and participation by members of the Traveller community is lower than expected.
Measuring performance
Performance will be measured through key performance indicators, national targets and qualitative indicators.
A mid-term review will take place in 2025. This will assess progress against the goals, objectives and targets and consider how these may need refining or developing in view of new government strategies or initiatives and improved data.