Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2010
670 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to respond to the repeated calls for the introduction of bonus points for maths at leaving certificate level; if such a decision will be taken in time for students entering fifth year in September 2010 to make an informed choice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29774/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe admission criteria for entry to higher education institutions are legally a matter for determination by the institutions themselves. I indicated my view that the introduction of CAO bonus points for achievement in Leaving Certificate mathematics at higher level would send an important signal to students. I also wrote to the President of the Irish Universities Association, the Chairperson of Institutes of Technology Ireland and the President of the DIT asking them to look favourably at the introduction of a workable CAO bonus points scheme which would encourage those at risk of dropping down to ordinary level to sit the exam at higher level. Consultations within and between colleges on the matter are currently being progressed.
The Council of Registrars in the Institutes of Technology has indicated their support for bonus points, recommending that it would be best that any bonus scheme or scale is agreed on a system-wide basis, with a common scheme offered by all Higher Education Institutes. More recently the Irish Universities Association has written to me indicating that a number of universities have decided in principle to award bonus points with effect from 2012, and that the matter is receiving attention in a number of other colleges. In addition a number of technical issues are being discussed. The Association will keep me informed of progress in the matter.
