Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

State Examinations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

Ceisteanna (467)

Cormac Devlin

Ceist:

467. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that points inflation in 2021 has rendered many higher education courses that do not require the applicant to have taken higher level maths mathematically impossible to achieve (details supplied); his plans to deal with grade inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45074/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not within our remit to determine CAO points levels, which are determined by the grades received by students, the number of applicants for a course and the number of places available.

Irish third level institutions collectively agreed to operate a bonus points scheme for higher level mathematics in 2010 following a call by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. The purpose of this collective action was to provide an incentive to second level students to opt for higher level mathematics at leaving certificate level given the relatively low take-up of higher-level mathematics compared to other subjects. This decision was taken in the context of the need for graduates with high level mathematical skills to fill particular skills gaps in the economy.

I know how difficult a time it has been for students and parents, and we appreciate how disappointing it can be not to receive an offer for your course of choice, but we would like to stress the range of options available both in further education and training and apprenticeships, but also in pathways in higher education. For those whose route into higher education may not be what they originally planned, there are many pathways available in the further and higher education system.

Barr
Roinn