Third-level access by under-represented groups is set to soar to the top of the university/IT agenda, and the poorest students are likely be better off by up to £1,000 per annum, under the terms of the The New Deal - A Plan for Educational Opportunity, which was launched in December.

This £194 million plan is designed to attack educational disadvantage at all levels, including pre-school. Every third-level college in the State will be required to take action to improve access for under-represented groups.

Under the terms of The New Deal, some £30 million is to be spent on the expansion of college-based outreach and support programmes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and mature students. Extra supports for students with disabilities, and top-up grants for students whose families are social welfare dependent will also be provided.

The issue of disadvantaged access will become a central feature of university and IT planning, according to the Minister for Education and Science, Micheal Martin. "There must be a change to both the nature and scale of activity within third-level education in order to significantly improve the participation of underrepresented groups," he stresses.

Although some colleges operate excellent access programmes, a number of colleges remain inactive in this area. This situation, though, is about to change. Already, funds are being allocated to ensure that every third-level college can employ an access officer and a national co-ordinator for access programmes is to be appointed.

A number of area-based partnerships also operate third-level access schemes. Schemes which are deemed successful will receive Government funding. College hardship funds, too, are set to receive a major boost.

In 1998, the Government grant to third-level hardship funds almost doubled to £400,000. Increased financial support for the poorest students is particularly welcome.

The Department of Education and Science is currently working with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to identify students whose families are social welfare dependent. It is estimated that there are up to 10,000 such students in the system.

A new funding scheme for this group is to be developed and these students could receive as much as £1,000 per annum on top of their maintenance grants.