Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
118. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address concerns regarding CAO points inflation in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29947/20]
View answerMy Department is closely monitoring any potential impact that the events of this year may have on entry to further and higher education in 2021.
This year more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education, with 52% of these students being offered their first preference Level 8 course in Round One. As of the end of Round Two, more than 49,000 students have accepted a place. There is no indication that a higher number of students than usual are opting to defer their place to the 2021 academic year, and given the large numbers of students who have been accommodated in higher education this year it is feasible that the numbers of students reapplying to the CAO next year on the basis of Leaving Certificate results from prior years will be lower in 2021 than previously.
€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver an additional 2,700 new undergraduate student places from September 2021. This increase will address demographic growth pressures and equates to an overall investment of nearly €80 million to address the demographic increases since 2018. These places are in addition to the 1,330 additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.
I am satisfied that very considerable progress has been made in the 2020/2021 academic year on the necessary increase in third level places to meet current and projected demographic demand, and Budget 2021 will greatly facilitate us in continuing this progress in the 2021/2022 academic year.
However, CAO points will nonetheless fluctuate next year as they do every year. Changes in CAO points depend on the volume of applications, the number of places available and the grades received by applicants. As we are in the midst of a global pandemic and economic flux, there is more volatility than usual this year due to factors such as reduced opportunities in the economy, students seeking to defer or re-apply in subsequent years and uncertainty around students travelling internationally both to and from Ireland. Given this uncertainty, it is impossible to predict what the impact will be on CAO points for 2021.
My Department will monitor the situation as it develops and take action as necessary to ensure the availability of a full range of further and higher education options for the class of 2021.
