Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The report will be submitted to the academic councils of the institutions concerned for consideration. It is understood that the report will be considered by the academic councils before the end of the year, most likely in November or December. The implementation of any changes will be a matter for the institutions and their medical schools.

More generally with regard to third level entry mechanisms, the Minister for Education and Skills has also received an interim report from the Irish Universities Association of their consideration of recommendations in the NCCA-HEA transitions report which was published last September. The universities have also established a task force to develop more specific proposals regarding changes to the entry criteria for third level programmes, which is also expected to consider issues relating to high points courses such as medicine. The task force is expected to complete this work by the end of the year.

I respect the fact that the Deputy has raised these issues. Concerns are being brought to her attention and she has articulated them in the House. I am sure the Minister and I would be delighted to engage with her further on the question of Project Maths, or at least have officials engage with her. I am sure the Minister would be happy to sit down with her to discuss this area.

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