Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Points System.

John McGuinness

Question:

383 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be investigated in view of the fact that his leaving certificate points were upgraded to 500 following a recheck and was not in time to be considered for a place on the course in Dublin Institute of Technology; the way in which these students should be treated by third level institutions in view of their late entry into the competition for places and who now find themselves excluded and in some cases have to take up positions outside of this jurisdiction; his views on whether the students affected should have a facility available to them to allow the third level institute to consider their case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26657/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I have had inquiries made with the Dublin Institute of Technology about the case in question and the Dublin Institute of Technology has advised as follows-"It is the policy of the Dublin Institute of Technology to accommodate all applicants who become eligible for a place as a result of a recheck. In 1998, 35 applicants became eligible for offers after upgraded results were issued and all were offered places.

In the case of this applicant, the upgrade did not make her eligible for either of the Dublin Institute of Technology degree courses higher than her first offer.

The minimum points level for optometry (FT224) was 520 and while the minimum points level for human nutrition and dietetics (FT223) was 500, at Round 1 offer stage not all applicants with this points level could be offered a place and random selection applied.

This applicant moved to third position on the waiting list for course FT223 following her upgrade but no further offers were issued after Round 1 for this course.

The applicant was offered course FT471 (degree in social care) in Round 1, but did not accept."