Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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1161. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of additional places created for those intending to study medicine this academic year in order to manage the unintended consequences arising from the calculated grade process inter alia grade inflation; and the number that will be created for the students entering university in September 2021. [15475/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In order to help mitigate the impact of the changes to the grading system in 2020 I announced the creation of an additional 2,225 places on high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions. These places were provided in order ensure that as many students as possible could be accommodated on a course of their choice, given the unprecedented circumstances they faced. The subject areas in which these places were created can be seen in the table below.

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.