Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I join Senator Healy Eames in calling for a debate on the welcome increase in the number of applications for university places through the Central Applications Office. There has been a significant increase, amounting to 15%, in the number of applications for post-leaving certificate courses. I was at Dunboyne College of Further Education last Friday and noted it is under pressure because there is a cap in place that the Minister refuses to increase. The result is that the college will probably have to turn away applicants at a time when many young people see education as a way out of unemployment and of increasing their skill level. It is important that the cap on the number of post-leaving certificate courses be increased. The issue of further education should be included in the debate on the Central Applications Office.