An extensive report into third level has been released by the Higher Education Authority.
A lack of financial support means students from disadvantaged areas are unable to access post graduate education.
A recent Higher Education Authority report shows that one in six students in Athlone Institute of Technology fall into this category, while the average distance they commute to college is 66 kilometres away.
Conversely, UCD and the Institute of Art Design + Technology have the most affluent students in the country.
Malcolm Byrne from the HEA says addressing this will be a major challenge:
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