I propose to take Questions Nos. 833, 842, 843 and 844 together.
The system whereby calculated grades are generated includes a process of national standardisation in which marks and rankings submitted by schools will be examined and may be adjusted using statistical methods to ensure a common national standard is applied. National profiles of achievement at Leaving Certificate level over the last three years will be used as part of this process and this will help ensure that the grades issued remain broadly in line with national performance standards over time.
As was announced by the Minister for Education on 1 September, the model for Calculated grades will give primacy to the estimated marks provided by teachers. National standardisation measures will still be applied in order to prevent excessive and uncontrolled grade inflation. However all measures taken to control grade inflation must be balanced with fairness to students affected by the exceptional circumstances of this year.
In order to help mitigate the impact of the changes to the grading system, I have announced the creation of an additional 1,250 places on high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions. These places are provided in order to help ease anxiety and reduce uncertainty among students awaiting a CAO offer.
Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements, the number of places available and the grades received by applicants. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not with my remit to provide any guarantees as to CAO points in any year.