Ministers Moran welcomes €16.5m to increase Third Level Access

New measures to target Lone Parents and Disadvantaged Groups 

Over 2,000 Students to be supported, including at least 200 Lone Parents

 Minister of State and Longford/Westmeath TD, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has welcomed funding announced this morning of €16.5m to increase Third Level access for up to 2,000 extra students.

The funding to be distributed over the next three years, will have a strong focus on helping lone parents to access higher level education.    Minister Moran said the Government is determined to break down the barriers of disadvantage, and open up pathways for those who might easily miss out:

The funding will include:

• Funding bursaries worth €5,000 for 600 students coming from non-traditional backgrounds into college, with support for at least 120 socio-economically disadvantaged lone parents. This will be a €6m regional call over three years.
• Funding for support programmesto help 2,000 students, of which 200 will be lone parents, from non-traditional backgrounds enter college and successfully complete their course. This will be a €7.5m regional call over three years.
• A further €3m over three years in increased funding for the hardship supports to help students, with Lone parents being prioritized

The funding will support a range of new initiatives and partnerships to support over 2,000 extra students from disadvantaged groups to participate in third level education over the next three years. Higher Education Clusters are now invited to submit proposals for funding and the most innovative ideas will be supported.

The groups being targeted include: entrants from under-represented socio-economic groups and communities; entrants with disabilities; mature entrants; members of the Irish Traveller community; students entering on the basis of a further education award; part-time flexible learners; as well as socio-economically disadvantaged lone parents and ethnic minorities.