Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will give an overview. The number of students in full-time higher education, which includes universities, technological universities, institutes of technology and other higher education colleges, in 2020 was 165,946. In 2014, it was 151,360. We can see the increase. The split between undergraduate and postgraduate, favouring undergraduate, is 85% to 15%. We have had a demographic increase and an increase in the numbers attending college.

Last year the Department engaged with the universities and higher education institutes on providing increased places on high-demand courses. The discussion will happen again this year. I cannot give an update on where we are at with regard to this year. Last year we ensured additional places were made available. There are approximately 200 additional places on nursing and midwifery courses.