Ms Judith Shaw:

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, UCAS, organises an annual event in the King's Hall in Belfast where universities throughout the United Kingdom provide information to prospective students on their particular offerings. In recent years we have seen an increase in participation by institutions from the South, including the University of Limerick. The more we can do of that the better. In that context, it is about increasing the flow from Northern Ireland to the South. In terms of working the other way, we are encouraging the universities in Northern Ireland to engage in similar activities in the Republic.

On the question of the availability of information, our career advisers have been working with students in the Border counties who are interested in studying in the South to help them with their CAO applications and so on. There has been a recognition in recent years that we need to be doing more for all students. It is not just about which part of Northern Ireland one is living in; it is about people being able to access information on opportunities in all parts of the UK and in the Republic and deciding on an individual basis which presents the best option. The more information people have the better informed they will be in terms of their decision-making.