Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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553. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the CAO and HPAT closing dates can be extended for students who sat the leaving certificate in November 2020 in order that any improved grades obtained by them can be taken into account, which could allow them to commence undergraduate courses requiring higher points in September and October 2021; if their change of mind with regard to inclusion of courses can be facilitated given that they performed better than they expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7921/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Decisions on admissions, including deadlines for submissions of applications, are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO in this matter.

The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the administration or running of the CAO or HPAT, and I do not determine the application deadlines in relation to either of them.

Students whose November Leaving Certificate results entitled them to a higher preference offer based on their 2020 CAO application will have received a deferred offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. Such offers are part of the 2020 application cycle, and therefore will be based on the 2020 CAO points.

Students who wish to make a fresh application for the 2021 CAO cycle may do so if they have not already applied. Although the initial deadline for CAO applications has passed, the late application facility will be open from 5th March to 1st May, allowing students to apply for all non-restricted courses. It is my understanding that late applications for restricted courses will not be accepted, as these deadlines are in place to allow the necessary assessments such as interviews, portfolio assessments or the HPAT to take place.

Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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554. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the high number of CAO applications. [7939/21]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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566. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure fair competition for college places due to a record number of CAO applications from the 2021 cohort, deferred students from 2020 and those students who were awarded higher points on review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8284/21]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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567. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure place availability for the leaving certificate class of 2021 at higher education; if his attention has been drawn to the record number of CAO applications; the engagement his Department has had with higher level institutions to ensure sufficient places for such record demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8287/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 554, 566 and 567 together.

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.

I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and my officials are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places. Information will become available next month on the types of applicants in the current year, and the courses they are choosing which will assist us in planning for the current year.

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 continue to closely assess demand for higher education places and take action as necessary to ensure that this year's Leaving Certificate students have a range of pathways into further and higher education.