Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
1013. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will implement a review of the CAO points system to allow more students access the course of their choice (details supplied). [12832/23]
View answerIt is a priority of my Department to expand the pathways to tertiary education and expand provision of courses, particularly in areas of acute skills demand.
There are a range of options in the system, and pathways to careers that students can consider. For anyone who doesn’t gain access to their course of choice immediately, there is often an alternative education path available to them. That could be through further education or apprenticeship, or through other courses in higher education.
The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) determine their own procedures for admission, in line with their statutory autonomy. The Central Applications Office (CAO), who are an independent body, process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.
Decisions on admissions are made by the Higher Education Institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO or the admissions decisions of institutions.
