Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for reform of the points system for third level entry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17540/13]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his intentions for reform of the points system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17525/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 54 together.

At my request, my Department, the NCCA, the SEC, the HEA and the higher education institutions have been working together to agree a framework for reform of the important transition of school leavers from second level into higher education. This is a complex area and requires concerted action across 2nd and 3rd level. On 27th March, I launched the paper, "Supporting a Better Transition from second level to higher education: Key Directions and Next Steps". It contains three commitments to: Reduce the number of level 8 degree programmes in higher education and make them more broadly based; to reduce the number of grading bands in the leaving certificate examinations; to address problematic predictability in the leaving certificate exams. Significant progress has been made. There is further work to be done and I expect a further report with an implementation plan later this year.