Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am excited about the new tertiary degrees. We have set up a national tertiary office. There are now 23 degrees which can be accessed by starting in further education with a guarantee of being able to complete it in higher education. Nobody cares or asks what points you got in the leaving certificate. You are assessed on your suitability in different ways, such as interviews and portfolios. More than 800 people have already applied to undertake those degrees. This morning, I will announce that we will double the number of courses in which this option is available for next September. There is real progress to try to get beyond the national obsession with points and the impact that has on students and their well-being. Specifically, in the Deputy's constituency of Clare, I wish to join her in thanking TUS for putting its hand up and offering one of the first tertiary degrees in business in Ennis in collaboration with LCETB. It has shown real leadership in facilitating this exciting opportunity for people in Ennis to get a degree outside the CAO system.

TUS also provides a degree in aircraft maintenance engineering in Shannon in collaboration with a major local employer, Atlantic Aviation Group. It also collaborates with another organisation in Shannon called Atlantic Air Adventures.

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