Access to third level education 'a genuine fear' for low income families
More needs to be done to ensure children from low income families have access to third level education.
That is according to the Trinity Access Programme at Trinity College in Dublin, which has been working to increase the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress to higher education.
The group claim that although 700 people have gained access to Trinity through their efforts, more people around the country need help.
Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn will today launch a report for the group to mark the 20th anniversary of the programme.
Director of the programme Cliodhna Hannon said there are many factors that are preventing people from low-income families from attending college.
"There is a genuine fear around the cost of higher education, all of the hidden costs as well as the explicit costs," she said.
"At undergraduate level low income students need to be building networks, career development opportunities, internships, all of these opportunities that I think the state could help to develop innovations around in partnerships with universities"
