Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
140. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made regarding the efforts to move towards common entry to a range of college course to reduce the pressure of the points race on Leaving Certificate students; and if he will outline the other steps which his Department might take to facilitate Leaving Certificate reform. [58930/22]
View answerIt is a key priority of my Department to ensure that all learners have access to the right courses for them, across the spectrum of provision in Tertiary Education. Additional capacity has been created in higher education programmes- in June I announces over one thousand additional places from September 2022.
Part of the transitions reform agenda aimed to provide a broader experience for undergraduate students with specialisation later. The higher education System Performance Framework which ran from 2018 – 2020 included an indicator in relation to progress made against the commitment to reduce the number of level 8 programmes and broader entry routes.
Data published as part of the Education Indicators for Ireland report indicates that the number of entry routes has decreased over the last number of years, from 1,313 in 2014 to 1,244 in 2020. Data for 2021 is expected to be published shortly.
There is additional capacity being created in apprenticeships, and I am committed to building on this progress through continued implementation of the Apprenticeship Action Plan. There are also a wide range of other excellent further education and training options available to learners and these options are now available on the CAO website. There are many pathways in the education system, and I encourage any potential learners to consider them all.
The Minister for Education announced plans for senior cycle reform in March. My Department will continue to actively engage with the Department of Education and the third level sector to improve the transitions from second to third level education.
