Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will give two brief replies. First, in respect of the primary and secondary sectors, both the Minister, Mr. John O'Dowd, and I are open to the idea that families on either side of the Border, for whatever reason, should be free to send their child or children not necessarily to a school closest to them but to the school to which they wish to send their child or children. In such a scenario, an account resolution process, so to speak, would be carried out at the end of the calendar year. While that has not yet been finalised, that is the process. Although we are unsure as to what will be the likely take-up, it is another part of the barrier on this island that should be reduced and then people are free to make a decision themselves as to what they want to do.

The position at third level is more complicated because access to institutions in the South is through the Cental Applications Office, CAO, system, based on the best points from six subjects, as the Deputy will be aware, whereas the new GCSE system in the North is different where there are two or perhaps three subjects that get A stars and the others are at a lower level. There is an ongoing debate between the chambers of commerce and enterprise co-operation, North and South, on the equivalent value of six subjects in the South to the A stars. We do not control that as it is is a matter for the Irish Universities Association. There are disputes over the approximate or relevant qualification and the discussions are ongoing. We believe that is a factor in reducing the number of Northern Ireland students coming south of the Border and studying in the Republic.

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