Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On average, approximately 13% every year reapply for the next year and the indications are that this year will be no different. On top of that, every year, irrespective of whether there have been fluctuations or not, eight to nine out of ten students will get one of their top three choices. It is really important to stress that to students. It is not 25%, it is most likely about 13% and eight to nine out of ten students will get their one of their top three choices. The reason there will be a change and there needs to be a change is the grade inflation that has happened since Covid. It had to happen and it was important that students were supported in what was a very difficult time.

Grade inflation actually pushes up points and makes it more difficult for students because it pushes up the marks and we are now seeing people in a lottery to get the courses even though they have the points. It is proposed that there would be a much more gradual reduction at a much lower and slower rate than that at which it increased, which was only over two years. This will be a much slower gradual reduction which will see a very small number of people impacted by this. We need to be clear on those facts that may be misunderstood at the moment.

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