Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he will take to increase further the number of places in third level to account for demographic changes to ensure that the CAO 2021 intake will not be adversely impacted by issues regarding the intake for 2020 and to ensure a third-level place for all who want it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31320/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is closely monitoring any potential impact that the results of Leaving Certificate 2020 may have on entry to further and higher education in 2021.

This year more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education, with 52% of these students being offered their first preference Level 8 course in Round One. As of the end of Round Two, more than 49,000 students have accepted a place. There is no indication that a higher number of students than usual are opting to defer their place to the 2021 academic year, and given the large numbers of students who have been accommodated in higher education this year it is feasible that the numbers of students reapplying to the CAO next year on the basis of Leaving Certificate results from prior years will be lower in 2021 than previously.

€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver an additional 2,700 new undergraduate student places from September 2021. This increase will address demographic growth pressures and equates to an overall investment of nearly €80 million to address the demographic increases since 2018. These places are in addition to the 1,330 additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.

My Department will monitor the situation as it develops and take action as necessary to ensure the availability of a full range of further and higher education options for the class of 2021.

I am satisfied that very considerable progress has been made in the 2020/2021 academic year on the necessary increase in third level places to meet current and projected demographic demand, and Budget 2021 will greatly facilitate us in continuing this progress in the next academic year.