Mature student applications for third-level courses rise by 10%
However, opposition TDs say there is still not enough being done by the Government to encourage such students into higher education.
Of the 65,401 applicants to the CAO this year, 8,807 applications came from mature students. That is compared with 7,988 in 2006.
Following the first round of offers, the CAO has confirmed 5,224 students have so far been offered positions.
The rest must wait until the second round of offers is revealed on August 31.
The HEA’s National Office for Equity of Access set targets in 2001 that 10% of those in third-level courses would be mature students.
The numbers before this year had only reached 9.4%, although that was more than double the 4.5% rate in 2001.
Even if all the mature students who applied this year do make it onto courses, that will equate to one in eight students being over 23.
However, according to the Union of Students in Ireland, in places like New Zealand and Sweden, about one in four students are 25-plus.
USI said among the main barriers to mature students are the lack of supports for those studying part-time, such as maintenance and childcare grants or welfare subsidies.
It said the typical mature student in Irish colleges is mid-30s with children and paying a mortgage.
Dublin West Labour TD Joanna Tuffy said: “If the Government is serious about improving the skills and qualification levels of the workforce, it should work with the colleges to support the entry of mature students into higher education, particularly into courses in computing, science and engineering.
“While progress is slowly being made towards the target of 15% mature students, it is well known that most mature students are enrolled in humanities courses.”
