Written answers

Thursday, 21 January 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Education

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken to expand in-demand third level course places for the 2021-22 academic year; the target number for increased places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3357/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon 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.

In 2020 more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education with more than 49,000 accepting an offer of a place. There is no indication that a higher number of students than usual opted 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.

Funding was provided in Budget 2021 to both sustain additional undergraduate places and 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.

I know how difficult a time it has been for students and parents, and my Department will be closely examining a number of indicators of demand for higher education, in order to assess if there will be a need to create further places.

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