Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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679. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional third-level course places will be made available to the leaving certificate class of 2021, as was afforded the leaving certificate class of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38794/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of the impact that Covid-19 has had on the leaving certificate class of 2021, and will take action as necessary to ensure that a full range of further and higher education options are available to them.

Funding has been secured to maintain the places created for the 2020/21 academic year, and a further €18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver an additional 2,700 new undergraduate student places from September 2021 which will address demographic growth pressures. 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.