Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2020
201. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to universities limiting the number of students that can defer their places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26230/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions are autonomous with regard to their academic and administrative affairs, including in relation to admissions. Therefore any limits on the number of deferrals are a matter for the HEIs themselves and neither I nor my Department have a role in this matter.
I understand, based on the information available to me, that some HEIs are placing limits on the proportion of students in any given course that can defer a place until next year. This is to avoid a situation in which the number of places available to students applying in 2021 is significantly lessened due to deferrals. Students who are unable to defer their entry can re-apply to the CAO during the 2021 application cycle.
