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Third Level Admissions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022

Tuesday, 8 February 2022

Questions (77)

Dara Calleary

Question:

77. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his strategy to reform the CAO and broaden access to further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6371/22]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will appreciate, the CAO is a company whose membership is representative of the higher education sector with the participating institutions retaining full control over their admission policies and decisions.

Against that background, the developments to the CAO website for the 2022 application process are particularly welcome. A key goal for my Department is to enhance the visibility of further education and training (FET) and apprenticeship options for school leavers. The changes to allow school leavers explore options across the third level system, whether in higher education, further education or apprenticeship options, from the CAO website is a key development which will support the development of greater balance between Higher Education and FET in building a unified tertiary system.

Within the FET sector, a central portal has been developed to enable learners to apply for their chosen courses, which have been updated in terms of course naming conventions and learner requirements. This is being managed through FETCH / PLSS (which is a central application system for FET courses delivered through ETBs). Technical experts from SOLAS and the CAO are working together to ensure that technology developed for FET in the short-term aligns with CAO systems to enable integration over time.

720 PLC courses are included in the CAO FET 2022 project. The further development and expansion of the CAO FET offers to include wider options will build on the experience of the 2022 application process.

For apprenticeship options, students must first be hired by an approved apprentice employer. The CAO links to apprenticeship.ie which provides information on how to find an apprenticeship and details of available apprenticeship employment opportunities. A major national and regional campaign was undertaken alongside the CAO application process with the aim of ensuring that all students, their parents/guardians, teachers as well as guidance counsellors have a much clearer understanding of FET and apprenticeship options and opportunities. There is also a freephone number available - 1800 794 487 for guidance on apprenticeships which is open 12pm-6pm Monday-Friday.

The NCCA’s Advisory Report on the Senior Cycle has been submitted to the Department of Education for consideration. The review involved a very broad range of research, consultations and communications with a wide range of stakeholders on all aspects of review and redevelopment. The Minister for Education and her officials are currently considering the Report following which it will be published. I will carefully consider any impact the proposals in this report may have on educational pathways and the transition to further and higher education.

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