Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1423. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department announced and made public to the schools or student population in the North the recommended equitable CAO points conversion system for A level students there; if so, when this occurred; the way in which this was communicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48767/25]

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans for students to get full recognition for the 4th A level instead of the current 24 CAO points, particularly as many students in the North were unaware of the process (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48768/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1423 and 1424 together.

The recent revisions to the CAO points assigned to A level grades arose as a result of a Working Group established in 2023 under the auspices of Universities Ireland, which is an organisation composed of the Presidents and Vice Chancellors of Universities on the island of Ireland. Higher education institutions, as autonomous bodies, are responsible for their admissions policies and the communication of changes, including any future amendments, to such policies to their stakeholders, including prospective students is a matter for them.

However, it should also be noted that the CAO has a dedicated page on its website detailing its procedures and a guide to the application of CAO points assigned to all A Level grades. I also understand that CAO representatives participated at the Spring Northern Ireland Schools and Colleges Careers Association (NISCA) Spring conference and took the opportunity of explaining the changes to all participants there.

During my recent meetings with stakeholders in Northern Ireland, including those with my counterpart, Minister Archibald, I have welcomed these changes, and see them as a positive contribution to increasing mobility not just on a North-South Basis, but also on an East-West basis. Arising from the summit last March between the Taoiseach and UK Prime Minister, my officials are working with policy leads across all Devolved Administrations to establish what further steps can be put in place to enhance information resources to increase student mobility.