Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1432: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to promote more explicit arrangements for student transfer between institutes of technology and universities and open new routes of access from the further education sector to third level sector. [47992/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department, together with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) supports the work of third level institutions in broadening routes of access to higher education. The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2008–2013, which I launched in July last year, seeks to encourage the broadening of entry routes to higher education institutions to greater reflect the fundamental changes being brought about through implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council) Level 5 and 6 qualifications are accepted as a basis for admission to the majority of higher education institutions and these qualifications are used as a route of access by increasing numbers of CAO applicants each year. The proportion of higher education places accepted by holders of FETAC major awards has grown from less than 3% in 2005 to over 10% in 2008 (4,309 students).

The Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS), introduced in 1995, links specific FETAC Level 5 Certificates and Level 6 Advanced Certificates to reserved places on a variety of higher education programmes. More recently, under an additional Pilot Scheme, course places are open to both FETAC applicants and Leaving Certificate applicants. Both schemes are intended to facilitate greater progression to third level programmes.

In October 2008 FETAC published a leaflet outlining current progression routes for holders of the FETAC Advanced Certificate — Craft, formerly known as the National Craft Certificate. This leaflet details progression routes to Levels 6, 7 and 8 full-time and part-time courses offered by a number of higher education institutions.

While almost all universities are prepared to consider applications for transfer from HETAC (Higher Education and Training and Awards Council) or DIT (Dublin Institute of Technology) qualifications, the number of transfers has been falling as opportunities to progress to degree level programmes within the institutes of technology have increased.