Minister Lawless announces publication of the Mid-term Progress Review of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (2022–2028)

Posted: 26 May, 2026

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, TD, has today welcomed the publication of the Mid-term Progress Review of the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (2022–2028), which confirms that a key national target on access to higher education for students with disabilities has been achieved ahead of schedule.

The Review finds that students with disabilities now account for 16.3% of new entrants to higher education, meeting the Plan’s 2028 target at the halfway point of implementation. This marks a significant milestone in efforts to build a more inclusive and equitable higher education system.

The National Access Plan (NAP) 2022–2028 aims to increase participation among underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, including students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, mature learners, and, for the first time, students with intellectual disabilities.

Speaking today, Minister Lawless said:

“I warmly welcome the findings of this mid-term review, which show that real progress is being made in opening up higher education to those who have traditionally been underrepresented. Achieving our disability participation target early is a clear sign that our policies and investments are making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

However, we must build on this momentum. While we are seeing strong progress in some areas, other groups continue to face barriers. Ensuring that all learners, regardless of background, have the opportunity not just to access higher education, but to succeed and feel a sense of belonging, will remain a central priority for this Government.”

The Minister noted that continued investment in targeted supports for students with disabilities, alongside strengthened measures for other priority groups, will be a key focus for the next phase of the Plan.

Among the achievements to date, the Review notes the progress of higher education institutions in implementing Universal Design approaches, the expansion of the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH), the increase in pathways to higher education,  the strengthening of the Student Grant scheme, and the publication of the second Access Data Plan to enhance the available evidence base.

The Review also finds that the participation rates of some priority groups remains low, particularly mature students from disadvantaged areas. Capacity constraints within higher education institutions are highlighted within the report, alongside the barriers to participation of disadvantaged students in higher education.

In setting out its recommendations, the review identifies the importance of multi-stakeholder and student-centred collaborative approaches to addressing these challenges and achieving the goals within the NAP.

Minister Lawless added:

“This review provides a clear and practical roadmap for the next phase of the National Access Plan. Government remains fully committed to its ambitions and will continue to provide targeted investment to support those most in need.

I would like to thank the Higher Education Authority, the independent reviewers, and all stakeholders, including the students whose voices have helped shape this work, for their valuable contributions.”

Commissioned by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), this independent review of progress was undertaken by Professor Stella Jones-Devitt and Dr Antony Aleksiev of Applied Inspiration International Ltd with the support of two student advisors, Sinéad Lynch and Seán McDermott, and was informed by extensive consultation across the higher education system and with wider stakeholders.