Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
640. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make arrangements with the CAO to relax its deadlines due to the fact that access of leaving certificate students to guidance and to their teachers will now necessarily be restricted. [1652/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra667. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider extending the deadlines for CAO and disability access route to education, DARE, applications in 2021, given the closure of schools and the inability of students to access some essential documents within the school premises for these applications. [1318/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 640 and 667 together.
The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Decisions on admissions, including deadlines for submissions of applications, are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO in this matter. The DARE scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) who set the criteria for the scheme, including application deadlines.
My officials have met with representatives from the further and higher education sector to discuss the potential impact of COVID-19 on entry to further and higher education in 2021. The potential for the closing of schools to impact students' ability to submit supporting documentation was raised and the possibility of extending the deadlines for submitting such documents will be kept under review. I will encourage the further and higher education institutions to show flexibility where possible in order to minimise the impact of the current situation on students' ability to access further and higher education. However the final decision on these deadlines will be made by the HEIs, and it is not within my remit to instruct them in regard to this matter.
