Minister Lawless announces sustainable funding to support access, participation, and success in higher education for under-represented groups
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 14 Bealtaine 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless today announced the mainstreaming of strands 1 and 3 of the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), securing the long-term sustainability of both funding streams. This will provide stability and allow all higher education institutions involved to undertake multi-annual planning to progress these pathways.
Announcing the mainstreaming of PATH 1 and PATH 3 at the eighth National Access Forum, Minister Lawless said:
“With PATH 1 and PATH 3 now at the end of their second 3-year pilot phase, it is with great pleasure I announce the continuation of these programmes with a sustainable funding model. This will allow the higher education institutions to continue the great work done to date, to support the goals of the National Access Plan, and provide valuable sort for those underrepresented in accessing higher education and the teaching profession. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) will shortly commence a consultation process on the proposed funding model with each participating higher education institution.”
Minister Lawless was speaking today at the National Access Forum, a key structure underpinning the implementation, monitoring and ongoing development of the National Access Plan. The consultation process for the Mid-term Progress Review of the National Access Plan was initiated at today’s Forum, and the importance of PATH as an enabling infrastructure was referenced by stakeholders.
The Minister continued:
“Everyone should have the opportunity to access and fully participate in higher education regardless of their circumstances, where they grew up or where they went to school. Our PATH programmes are key drivers in supporting students to reach their full potential and the support of PATH 4 Phase 2 funding for courses for students with intellectual disabilities is another example of how we are effecting change. As a result of this funding 173 students with intellectual disabilities are studying at higher education institutions across Ireland.”
Established in 2016, PATH is a multi-stranded strategic funding initiative supporting delivery of equity of access objectives. The decision to mainstream PATH 1 and 3 is informed by an independent assessment of the strands, which was completed last year.
PATH 1 aims to increase access to initial teacher education (ITE) for students from under-represented groups such as those from a socio-economic disadvantaged background, from the Irish Traveller and Roma communities, and students with a disability.
PATH 3 provides funding to support the development of regional and community partnership strategies for increasing access to higher education by specified groups. Over the two phases of PATH 3, higher education institutions have developed and enhanced partnerships with a range of community stakeholders to build aspiration to higher education.
Also speaking today at the National Access Forum, Dr Louise Callinan, Head of Access Policy in the HEA, added:
“Today’s announcement by the Minister recognises the considerable achievements of HEIs over the two successive phases of PATH 1 and PATH 3. Both funding streams are central to realising the ambitions of the National Access Plan and enable our HEIs to target the most underrepresented groups in higher education and to scaffold their successful journey through higher education with a range of pre-entry and post-entry supports. We look forward to consulting with HEIs on the proposed funding models for PATH 1 and PATH 3 prior to implementation.”
Notes
The fourth National Access Plan 2022-2028 (NAP) was launched in 2022 setting out with the ambition to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress across the higher education sector. The Mid-Term Progress Review of the NAP commenced in April 2025 and is assessing progress in the implementation of the NAP to date and identifying priorities for the second phase of implementation.
The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) is the main funding stream that supports the implementation of the National Access Plan.
PATH 1 supports access to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) from the target groups identified in the NAP. The objectives are to increase the number of students from under-represented groups entering ITE and provide more role models for students from these groups.
PATH 3 provides funding to HEIs to support the development of regional and community partnership strategies for increasing access to higher education by specified groups and is intended to facilitate the attraction and progression of undergraduate students from target groups.
PATH 4 Phase 2 is the funding programme for the provision of courses for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in higher education institutions.