In an unprecedented move, Trinity College Dublin is to reserve 15 per cent of all places for students drawn from "non-traditional" backgrounds, writes Seán Flynn, Education Editor
Under the new arrangement, about 350 of the 2,500 first-year places will be given to students from poorer backgrounds, students with disabilities and mature students.
The new quota system will be implemented from next September.
The college says the new 15 per cent quota is being introduced as part of Trinity's wider social obligation. Tackling educational disadvantage is now a "major priority", it says.
All of the other third-level colleges operate special entry schemes to help widen access. At present, NUI Maynooth is the only university which achieves the 15 per cent target figure for non-traditional students set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
But one senior education source said the Trinity initiative "changes the whole landscape" regarding widening third-level access.
The move comes as pressure builds from the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Dempsey, for much wider access programmes in third-level colleges.
In recent years, State support for Trinity and the other universities has been severely cut as education funds have increasingly been diverted to primary schools. Some in the universities believe they are being "punished" because of their poor access record.
The Minister has been highly critical of what he sees as the elitist nature of higher education in the State.
Most of the main feeder schools for Trinity are fee-paying, according to figures published in The Irish Times last week.
College sources stressed that the new quota system was what one called "a very genuine attempt by the college to meet its wider obligations".
College sources dismissed suggestions that the new quota system would increase the CAO points needed for many courses. The new quota is being spread across all six faculties in the college so the practical impact on points will be only marginal, according to one source.
At present, TCD is linked to 15 Dublin schools - all of them in areas of social disadvantage - through the Trinity Access Programme. The college also provides a one-year foundation course for both school-leavers and mature students. These are designed to help students - many of whom have no family history of third-level education - cope with university life.
TCD says several of those who have completed the foundation courses have gone on to take degree courses either in Trinity or in other third-level colleges.
The new quota system, which has been agreed by the board of the college, is likely to place further pressure on Trinity's finances, which have been cut by a cumulative 14 per cent in the past two years.
Students from non-traditional backgrounds tend to be more costly for colleges as they require smaller classes and they can need a range of welfare and counselling support.