For the first time, a complete and accurate account of the socio-economic profiles of higher education institutions has been published. Highlights include:
- Socio-economic profiles of Institutes of Technology most closely match that of the Irish population as a whole
- 9 of the 11 Institutes of Technology have a minus Mean Deprivation Index Score (DIS)
- 6 Dublin-based higher education institutions have a Mean DIS that is more than twice that of the overall national population
- Institutes of Technology are successful in providing higher education opportunities to the population profile in their area
Statement from Dr Joseph Ryan, CEO THEA.
“This is one of the most important data sets that the HEA publishes. It is clear from this data that the Institutes of Technology are already leaders in driving access to higher education to students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The HEA has also recognised that these students require significant extra supports in order to enable them to progress through to completion of their programme. It is appropriate that the core funding model will take into account the DIS of institutions and we would call on the HEA and the DFHERIS to recognise and invest in the technological higher education institutions as drivers in eliminating economic disadvantage as a barrier to entry to higher education. “
Ends
For further informaiton, please contact:
Róisín O'Connell, Head of Communications, THEA: (087) 9193333; roisin.oconnell@thea.ie
