A Socio-Economy of Ireland's Third Level students New HEA Data provides in-depth insight into the socio-economic profile of our universities and Institutes of Technology - Data covering 94% of all enrolments in 2018/2019 creates a socio-economic profile of Irish higher education students. THE Higher Education Authority (HEA) has published detailed data which offers an insight into the Spatial and Socio-Economic profile of the Higher Education Population. The data is based on Deprivation Index Scores (DIS) which measure the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area based on data compiled from the census. Using this information, the HEA has analysed the socio-economic profile of nearly all (94%) of the student population on an individual institutional level. The HEA says that the quality of this data gives an comprehensive understanding of the student population and it underpins the importance of addressing inclusion at all levels of education. This is the second year that the HEA has collated this data and now includes all publicly funded higher education institutions (HEIs) for the first time. Comprehensive dataset HEA CEO Dr Alan Wall acknowledged that it signals more work to be done in the future. “The higher education student population does not yet reflect the diversity found in the rest of the population in Ireland. This detailed dataset provides policy makers and institutions with a comprehensive knowledge of patterns of access and disadvantage that will assist them in developing and implementing targeted approaches to advancing equity of access.” Education minister, Simon Harris said: “I have made it clear that it is my ambition to ensure third level 30 Education
education is accessible to everyone, regardless of age, race, geography or gender. “In order to achieve that aim, we must ensure that our policies strengthen the participation of students in higher education and to do that, we need accurate data and evidence. HEA’s Head of Access Policy, Caitríona Ryan said the compilation of such complex data is necessary for evidence-based policy making – both at national level and at individual HEI level. But she added that it is not useful to compare HEIs with each other based on DIS, as context is very important. “Each HEI serves a unique region and offers its own range of programmes with varying levels of student demands. We know that all HEIs have access infrastructures in place that are working at both the pre-entry and post-entry stages with all the national access target groups – students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, students from the Travelling community, students with disabilities and first-time mature students." Supporting students These access infrastructures are complemented by a range of programmes and initiatives to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds such as the SUSI grants scheme, Student Assistance Fund (SAF), Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), including the 1916 Bursary Fund, and recently announced COVID-19-related supports such as the ICT Grant for disadvantaged students.
"We know that all HEIs have access infrastructures in place that are working at both the preentry and post-entry stages with students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, students from the Travelling community, students with disabilities and first-time mature students
Approximately €42 million within the HEA core funding was allocated to HEIs in 2020 on the basis of their access metrics. This supports HEIs to have an access infrastructure in place that provides for the pre-entry and post-entry work required to support students from target groups access and successfully participate in higher education. HEAR & DARE The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) Scheme also supports students who have a socio-economic disadvantage enter higher education on reduced points. Latest data shows that of about 4,000 eligible HEAR applicants in 2019, there were just over 2,500 acceptances of a HEAR place. The Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education. Latest data shows that of about 4,000 eligible DARE applicants in 2019, there were just over 2,600 acceptances of a DARE place. During 2021, work will commence on the development of the next National Access Plan including new participation targets. DIS will have a key role to play here and will be vital over the lifetime of the Plan in demonstrating progress and setting our ambitions for the future.
FIND OUT MORE: This is an edited version of the full article which is available at www.hea.ie (tinyurl.com/y3fqrflp) along with all of the data charts and maps.
