Two projects in south and west Dublin are making significant progress in getting students from disadvantaged backgrounds into third-level education.
Three schools which participate in the Clondalkin Higher Education Access Project have increased the number of students reaching third level from nine in 1994 to 38 in the current academic year.
The programme involves 14 hours of supervised tuition a week and scholarships worth £40 a month during the academic year. A mentoring programme - third-level students helping those at second level - has also been set up.
Similar figures for third-level entry have been attained by a project in Tallaght. Accessing College Education involves three Tallaght schools offering eight hours of supervised study a week to students, extra tuition and a scholarship of £40 a month for participants.
Students on the project are given a £600 scholarship during their first year at college.