Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a question for SOLAS. Mr. Brownlee stated that further education offers people learning pathways to take them as far as they want to go. We need to place greater emphasis and attention on the work being done in this regard and on the potential of further education. I am not convinced that the pathways are adequately in place, though. I always refer to how fewer than 5% of the approximately 4,000 students who study pre-nursing go on to study degree-level nursing. The Minister often refers to the pre-law situation. I have asked for figures on the progression of pre-law students to degree level but I have been told that the data are not collected. Many pre-law and pre-nursing students pursue further education just for the education they receive there and not as pathways to a university or an institute of technology. I imagine that they do not have that desire. However, I am concerned about the pathways. Nursing is the stark example. Why do so few pre-nursing students progress?