Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list, in tabular form, the accredited A Level qualifications that have been obtained at post-primary level in the six counties in the past three years whose status has not been recognised by third level colleges when students have applied for a degree course here. [25405/13]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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59. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline his objectives for increasing the number of Northern Ireland students attending third level here; the percentages of third level students here who are citizens of Northern Ireland per annum since 2005; if there is scope for increasing the compatibility of the CAO system and the UCAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25206/13]

Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the basis on which NUI Galway refuse to recognise the status of moving images arts as a suitable qualification for students from Northern Ireland who are applying to its drama degree course despite it being an accredited A Level qualification that is studied at post-primary in Northern Ireland; if the NQAI have a similar position to NUI Galway; and if the status of this exam applies to all third level courses here. [25404/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 59 and 76 together.

Universities and institutes of technology are autonomous statutory bodies and the recruitment of students and the establishment of admissions criteria are matters for the individual institutions concerned. The institutions have delegated to the CAO the task of processing applications for admission to first year undergraduate courses, including from students in Northern Ireland. The Department has no role to play in relation to the operation of the CAO system. Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the new standards body, is responsible for assisting individuals generally in having their academic qualifications recognised by relevant organisations but does not, and cannot, become involved directly in the admissions policies of universities.

The following table indicates the percentage of third level students from Northern Ireland enrolled in publicly funded higher education institutions since the 2007-08 academic year. A full data set is not available for the preceding years. Very small numbers of students from Northern Ireland enrol in higher education institutions in the South compared to the numbers of such students who apply through the CAO. While 882 applications from Northern Ireland students were received through the CAO in 2011, only 168 students subsequently enrolled in programmes. The proportion of Northern Ireland students enrolling each year since 2007-08 has remained at approximately 0.5%.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister not find it strange that while this State and its educational institutions expect colleges in Britain and the North to give due recognition to the leaving certificate, in some instances similar recognition is not given to A-level courses here? The question tabled by Deputy Stanley arose as a result of the experience of a student who applied for a drama degree course in NUI Galway and who is taking an A-level qualification entitled "Moving Images Arts". She had set her heart on pursuing a course at NUI Galway, only to be informed that one of the subjects she is currently studying is not recognised here and will not be considered when she applies for the drama degree course. Surely there must be a mechanism by means of which we can give due recognition to A levels in this State. If the Minister meets the heads of the colleges and representatives from the Quality and Qualifications Ireland, will he ask them to give some consideration to this matter? We give due recognition in other areas so perhaps it could also be given in this one.

The Minister is due to go before the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement on Thursday next. Perhaps he could ask it to address this matter in order that a level playing field might be created. If the latter were forthcoming, it might be of assistance in addressing the difference between the number of students who travel to the North to pursue courses and the number who travel in the opposite direction. Such a development would be good for all the educational institutions on the island.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the Central Applications Office, CAO, is a private entity - a limited company - owned jointly by the seven universities, which set both the policy and the standards that apply. I understand that approaching 40 colleges and other third level institutions now avail of the CAO facility. A recently published strategy document indicates that it is hoped to increase this for non-college applicants as well. The CAO, which is an independent body, uses the leaving certificate results as the platform for assigning points. This matter has been raised previously by certain North-South institutions in the context of the value the CAO assigns to the higher level A points relating to the British system.

I will raise the matter again and consider it as the Deputy has suggested. I would prefer to see at least the same number of Northern Irish students studying in the Republic as there are students from the Republic studying in Northern Ireland.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister.