Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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1408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will urgently review the case of a Leaving Certificate student (details supplied); if flexibility or discretionary measures can be applied in such exceptional cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47957/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for highlighting this case. I wish to fully acknowledge the student's exceptional academic performance and the significant challenges they have overcome. However, Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Under this legislation, the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes including in relation to admissions. My Department has no role therefore in setting the entry requirements for third-level courses, or in intervening in individual admissions cases.

I would, however, encourage the student and their family to engage directly with the Access and Admissions Offices of the universities of interest, who are best placed to advise on possible admissions options. I would also urge any student who in unhappy with their results or uncertain about their next steps not to be discouraged, as many options remain open to them outside of the CAO, including new flexible, tertiary degree pathways offered by the National Tertiary Office. Supports are available from websites such as nto.hea.ie or www.careersportal.ie.

Finally, I would like to extend my best wishes to the student in question in pursuing their studies and assure the Deputy that the higher education system is committed to supporting students with disabilities to achieve their full potential.