Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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1108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if funding is available for students wishing to continue to third-level education abroad in September 2021 given the likely rise in CAO points requirements for domestic courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14159/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places.

€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver 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.

Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, on which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements and the grades received by applicants. As we are in the midst of a global pandemic and economic flux, there is more volatility than usual this year due to factors such as reduced opportunities in the economy, students seeking to defer or re-apply in subsequent years and uncertainty around students travelling internationally both to and from Ireland.

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

The main support available to students in third level education is the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.  

Students attending approved undergraduate courses in the EU can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State.

The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.

Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if further places will be made available for third-level medicine courses for the academic year commencing in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14237/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to prevent a surge in points for high demand courses due to students deferring college places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15901/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1109 and 1174 together.

I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places.

€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver new undergraduate student places from September 2021 which will address demographic growth pressures. These places are in addition to additional places funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.

Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements, the number of places available and the grades received by applicants. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not with my remit to provide any guarantees as to CAO points in any year.

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