136 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of students participating at third level who have entered through access programmes at first year, second year, and third year in courses involved at university, institute or other educational institutions or training centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41498/10]

14 Higher Education institutes participate in the Higher Education Access Route programme (HEAR) for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Details of students enrolled through this programmes for the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 academic years are set out below. Data on retention rates is not currently available. In addition, many Institutes of Technology have access programmes but the Higher Education Authority has advised that information on levels of enrolment through those programmes is not readily available.

2010 Entry HEAR: 1,009 Acceptances [1,294 Offers]

2009 Entry HEAR: 682 Acceptances [871 Offers]

2008 Entry HEAR: 682 Acceptances [871 Offers]