Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will remove the cap on student numbers at the National College of Ireland; his views on whether to do so would be likely to increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44397/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the cap on student numbers relates to funding under my Department's Free Fees Initiative for up to 925 students in the National College of Ireland. The college cannot expand on this limit without the approval of my Department and the Department of Finance. The NCI are free to increase the number of student places that they offer outside the free fees scheme.

Specific requests have been received from NCI to lift this cap on numbers of free fee places so as to increase places in IT and business and financial related courses. My Department has examined the College's request for an increase in places on IT related courses, however the view is that there is no need for additional IT related courses at this time due to general demand being less than places available. The request for an increase in places on business and financial related courses will be considered further having regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the Report by Expert Group on Future Skills Needs on the Skills Requirements of the Financial Services sector. Discussions are ongoing with regard to the implementation of this report.

Significant growth in the availability of places across the higher education system generally has facilitated improved participation rates across the board over recent years, including in particular among the lower socio-economic groups. As the Deputy will appreciate, the overall availability of places in the system generally is a more significant determinant of opportunity for wider participation than any particular increase in places on a specific course or courses.