John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I ask the Leader for a debate on education, given the figures published today with regard to CAO applications. The drop in numbers is significant and this is likely to continue until 2007. The points commission reported in 1999 and recommended changes to the access system, which have not been implemented. That sluggishness in implementing those changes has contributed directly to these figures, a trend that will continue. The Leader should ask the Minister for Education and Science, Mr. Dempsey, to come to the House to address the issues of the 1999 points commission report and indicate what progress has been made in implementing the recommended changes.