Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 July 2025
3332. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the need for better career guidance supports and advice for prospective students from Northern Ireland, who make up just 1% of total CAO applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41474/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the recent summit between the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Starmer, it was agreed that both Ireland and the UK will promote greater understanding of education opportunities for full-time students through improved knowledge, guidance and information using higher education entrance systems.
Officials in my Department are working closely with their counterparts across the Devolved Administrations to deliver on this objective.
I also wish to advise that higher education institutions have adjusted the CAO points attaching to A Levels, which will increase the opportunity for Northern Ireland students to apply for courses in Ireland and acknowledge the work of the CAO, who delivered a detailed presentation on the CAO at the Spring Conference on the Northern Ireland Schools and College Careers Association.
Finally, I met with Minister Archibald at the margins of the recent North-South Ministerial Conference and took the opportunity to re-iterate my ambition to increase the number of students coming from Northern Ireland.
