Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
139. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reforms that are being considered for the current CAO system given the recent announcement of changes to be implemented on the current leaving certificate programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24954/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Education recently announced a programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education which will, in time, include changes in the final assessment procedure. These changes will be worked through with all stakeholders over a sustained period of time.
Officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, along with stakeholders in the higher and further education sector will engage closely with officials in the Department of Education as this work progresses. Until the nature of these changes becomes clearer, it is difficult to determine what impact this may have on the CAO system.
The CAO is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to process applications on their behalf. Next week, I will meet with all HEIs to discuss these matters. My officials will continue to engage on a regular basis with the sector around the issue of transitions and the potential impact of Senior Cycle reform.
