Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if Ukrainian students, living in Ireland, who will sit their senior cycle high-school state examinations in April 2023 that is the Ukrainian equivalent of the Irish Leaving Certificate examinations can apply to enter undergraduate courses in Irish third level colleges via the common application system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62042/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, as autonomous bodies, admissions policies and procedures are matters which rest solely with the individual higher education institutions (HEIs).

My Department put in place an emergency response via the National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk to help displaced students and researchers to apply to the Irish higher education system, noting that most arrived outside of the normal timeline for CAO applications. This was an emergency response for the 2022/23 academic year, and as the war in Ukraine continues, the Government is now looking to move to a more sustainable response model.

I am aware that Admissions Officers in HEIs have agreed that those displaced Ukrainian students currently completing the Leaving Certificate should apply through the CAO for the coming academic year. This decision has been communicated to the Department of Education, who in turn have advised the Institute of Guidance Counsellors accordingly.

For students outside this cohort, the Department is awaiting a decision from Admissions Officers regarding admission procedures, including the assessment of any qualifications presented in support of their application. Once received, this will communicated to prospective students via www.gov.ie, the Department’s website and social media.