Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1267. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to ensure that there are sufficient places in third-level education given points inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the pressure felt by students applying to enter higher education and I am taking action to relieve these pressures.
While Leaving Certificate grades don’t impact the number of higher education places in and of themselves, high grades drive up CAO points requirements and I know that this can make students feel under pressure.
This year’s CAO applications are slightly lower than last year’s, although they remain high overall. In order to ensure that these applicants are given every opportunity to follow an educational path that works for them I am seeking both to create additional college places in areas of identified skills need, and to broaden the national conversation on third level options.
I requested that my officials engage with the higher education sector on the creation of additional places in key areas as identified by our skills architecture. These engagements are at an advanced stage, and we hope to create places in areas of acute skills need such as healthcare, construction and green skills.
However increasing places is only one part of the answer. In tandem with this, it is vital that all learners have access to the right courses for them, across the spectrum of provision.
There is additional capacity being created in apprenticeships, with new programmes starting each year. 2021 saw our highest number of new apprenticeship registrations yet. There are also a wide range of other excellent further education and training options available to learners.
Information on the options available in further education, higher education and apprenticeship are all available on the CAO website at cao.ie/options, and I encourage anyone who is looking to take the next step in their educational journey to have a look and consider all the possibilities open to them.
