Another way of looking at it is that 15pc of the second-level school students are defined as "disadvantaged", but only 10pc of higher education students are so classified. Socio-economic background is also an indicator of likely salary levels after graduation, suggesting postcode and social capital may be a big influence in that first job. The report, 'A Spatial and Socio-Economic Profile of Higher Education Institutions in Ireland', provides detailed data on the socio-economic background of students in each college. At the other end of the spectrum Letterkenny IT has the highest proportion of disadvantaged students (24pc). Junior minister for higher education Mary Mitchell O'Connor said improving equality of access to higher education was "a priority" for the Government and the Department of Education.

Source: Irish Independent October 21, 2019 01:30 UTC