Future funding for third-level access programmes should be linked to performance, with universities required to demonstrate they are providing value for money, a new report by the Higher Education Authority has recommended.
But the first review of equality policies in universities, to be released later today, acknowledges that the lack of suitable data currently makes assessment of access programmes difficult.
As a result, it calls for the collection of statistical data to be improved.
While universities have implemented a number of initiatives to widen access, the high-level report says there is a need for a co-ordinated national approach to improving access. This would build on the work done by individual universities.
The Irish Times recently revealed that disadvantaged students are now much more likely to proceed to third-level colleges than they were five years ago.
However, the new report notes that the gap between the cost of attending university and the level of financial support from the State has widened in recent years.
Although improvements recently announced by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, would go some way towards bridging this gap, it acted as "a further deterrent to disadvantaged students".
The HEA alone has provided over €33 million since 1996 to universities specifically to increase participation among certain key groups. These include disadvantaged school-leavers, mature students, students with disabilities, and Travellers and refugees.
Among the key jobs of the recently established National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education, which is run by the HEA, will be to obtain data and to co-ordinate a national strategy for widening access.
The HEA group was chaired by Mr Maurice O'Connell, former governor of the Central Bank, and included Dr Maureen Gaffney of the National Economic and Social Forum.
It finds that "effective action" needs to be taken by universities to deal with the gender imbalance in higher staff positions at third level.
One source yesterday said the shortage of researchers meant a failure to address this issue could severely impact on Ireland's ability to compete for international funding in the future.
Universities need to become more flexible in responding to the needs of mature students, the report's authors also recommend, and should take account of the particular needs of refugees and the barriers they face in seeking access to third-level education.
Mr Don Thornhill, chairman of the HEA, said equality of access to higher education was more important than ever. The HEA was, he said, fully committed to the implementation of the national strategy to maximise participation.
"As a country and an economy we depend more than ever on the skills and knowledge of our citizens for sustainable development," he said. "Clearly, coherent national policies are needed."