Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that PLC graduates looking to progress to a relevant third-level course are included in a lottery for limited places, regardless of grades or previous attempts to enter third level. [23338/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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There are well established routes from further to higher education, providing opportunities for further education and training learners to continue on with their studies if that is what they wish.

The Higher Education Links Scheme gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place in the first year of a higher education programme. Under this scheme, results in a further education programme are converted to CAO points and applicants compete for entry. In the majority of cases, there is a quota of places reserved for FET applicants, who compete with each other for these places rather than against school leavers. This is the approach used by FET nursing programmes

A particular issue arises on these nursing programmes as the number of applications far outstrips the number of places available. It is important that students entering courses understand what their opportunities are on conclusion of a course, so it is vital that Further Education providers clearly explain how entry to higher education works to students who are considering these programmes.

Recognising these challenges, my Department has been working to create a more unified tertiary system.

In September 2023, the first intake of students on tertiary programmes began their studies. On tertiary programmes, learners begin their studies in a further education college, and subject to meeting required academic standards, have guaranteed progression to complete their degree in a higher education institution. ATU offer a tertiary programme in Nursing with 20 places available in each of the ATU’s campuses at ATU Donegal, St Angela’s in Sligo and ATU in Mayo.

From September 2024 MTU, in collaboration with Cork ETB and Kerry ETB will also offer tertiary programmes in Nursing with General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing options.