Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

One of the targets chosen is to reduce the number of high-point programmes at entry which have grown from 387 to 946. He stated, "We have to call a halt to the exponential growth of course options in the interests of students." Of course, those course options were put there in the interests of students and they are successful. That is how the high points became attached to them. Points simply allocate a limited number of places among competing applicants. The evidence is that high points will lead to good results at third level and low points, unfortunately, will lead to less good results.

Six quangos, no less, participated in the exercise yesterday. It has not yet been discussed at the governing bodies of universities or with those who teach freshmen in the universities - I am proud to have done that for three or four decades. There is not a problem in the points system in that regard. The leaving certificate is within the Minister's province, but telling universities to abolish courses because they are high-point courses is a wrong way to approach it. I am glad for the Minister's reassurance that he is not a reckless person.

There is a problem. Those high-points courses should have more resources put into them. The high points indicate their success. We should look at low-points courses and low-points students to whom we should also give resources because the evidence is they will find it difficult to progress. I ask the Deputy Leader for a debate based on the evidence of the relationship and the transition between second and third level education in Ireland, without the six quangos but with those directly involved in teaching freshmen.