Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33091/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Universities and institutes of technology, under the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Acts, are autonomous bodies and, as such, have responsibility for their own academic affairs, including issues relating to the admission of students. Therefore it is a matter for the institutes themselves to set admissions requirements for individual programmes of education and training and to ensure that students meet those requirements before commencing their studies. However, I understand from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) that the following is the position in this instant case.

This case relates to a student wishing to progress onto a level 8 engineering programme following completion of a level 7 programme. The conditions of entry are ratified by Engineers Ireland and stipulations are put in place to ensure that students progressing are likely to succeed in the higher level programmes. To be eligible to progress to the level 8 programme, the prospective student with a Level 7 award, is required to meet one of four conditions, as set out below:

- An Upper Merit or Distinction (60 % or above) in the level 7 graduate award;

- A Lower Merit award (50-59 %) together with 70% or above in mathematics in the award year (Engineers Ireland criterion);

- A Lower Merit award (50-59 %) together with < 70 % in mathematics in the award year and a successful interview before a DIT panel.

Generally, the criterion here is that the applicant should demonstrate by their results in the award year of the ordinary degree and performance at interview that they are likely to succeed in the honours degree. Aspects considered include (i) strong performance in mathematics and / or analytical modules (ii) an outstanding performance (in comparison with their peers) in the design project or electrical distribution and control and (iii) a Merit Upper or Distinction performance in a series of individual modules while not achieving Merit Upper or Distinction in the overall grade;

- For those returning with work experience but with Lower Merit and < 70 % in mathematics advanced entry is allowed provided candidates have (i) a minimum of one year (12 calendar months) post qualification relevant design experience (ii) a report (endorsed by their employer) detailing their experience in the discipline (iii) a successful interview before a DIT panel;

- Based on Level 7 results achieved, formal offers are made to eligible students for places on the level 8 programme during the summer - in 2016, offers were made by 01 July 2016, with acceptance required within two weeks of the offer. Following acceptance of the offer, the students are then invited to register in time for the academic year. In the case of students sitting supplemental exams, notification of such eligibility and offer of a place, where applicable, occurs mid September, i.e. after the commencement of the academic year;

In this specific case, the student did not meet the advanced entry criteria and thus was not offered a place or made eligible to register for the programme in the 2016/17 academic year. Under the conditions of entry of the course the only option available to him was Option 4 as outlined above. Furthermore, the assistance of the Careers Service in DIT has been made available to the student.