Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2020
204. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if universities in Northern Ireland are able to offer courses through the CAO system; his views on whether the inclusion of institutes of higher education in Northern Ireland participating in the CAO would increase cross-Border enrolment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31915/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CAO is a company established by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. It is governed by a board of directors drawn from across the higher education sector, and decisions on the operation of the CAO are made by this board. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO.
HEIs in both Ireland and Northern Ireland are autonomous with regard to their administrative and academic affairs, including their applications and admissions policies. At present application to most HEIs in Northern Ireland are processed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which is the centralised application portal for UK HEIs. Any change in the application process is a matter for the Individual HEIs in question, and I do not have a role this matter.
