Higher Education Authority | Access
Achieving an equitable higher education system has been a policy priority for the Irish state for over a decade. Three government white papers on education (1995, 1999, 2000), as well as a range of other national policy documents, legislation and funding programmes (including the current and previous National Development Plans and European Structural Funding) have underpinned the commitment of the state to the objective of tackling social inclusion through education as well as the wider goal supporting lifelong learning for all.
In 2001 an Action Group on Access to Higher Education recommended the establishment of a dedicated national office to co-ordinate existing work and to develop and implement a national framework of measures to increase participation in higher education by disadvantaged groups. The National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education (National Office) was established in the Higher Education Authority in 2003 to facilitate educational access for groups who are under-represented in higher education - those who are disadvantaged socially, economically and culturally, mature students and students with a disability. The office works with all higher education institutions and is supported in its work by an advisory group representing students, parents, the education sector and social partners.
Recent Publications
National Access Office: Annual Report 2006 and Outline Plans 2007
Towards the best Education for All: An Evaluation of Access Programmes in Higher education in Ireland
National Access Office: Annual Report 2005 and Outline of Plans 2006
Progressing the Action Plan: Funding to Achieve Equity of Access to Higher Education
National Action Plan 2005-2007
Evaluation of the Millennium Partnership Fund
Towards a National Strategy: Initial Review of HEA Targeted Initiatives to Widen Access to Higher Education