Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has offered his congratulations to students who received their first round CAO offers today.
I want to congratulate students on receiving their first round CAO offers. This is a significant milestone for any student, but particularly this year, in light of the uniquely challenging year students have endured.
I am delighted to have been able to secure 2,225 additional places in the Higher Education sector in the last number of weeks. I am very grateful to the HEA and the institutions for their work in providing these additional places, which I hope will provide a pathway for those students who wish to progress from school to college.
This has been an immensely difficult year for students and it is my hope that these additional places will alleviate some of the pressure.
These additional places mean significantly more applicants have received offers of places at this stage this year and more students will be admitted to college in the coming weeks than in any previous year.
I do recognise the strong competition for places this year. I have worked with the sector to increase places to the greatest extent possible. I welcome the fact that the proportion of applicants receiving an offer of one of their top three preferences is stable between years, despite this strong competition.
I also want to take this opportunity to remind students of the many and varied opportunities available to them as they prepare to take the next steps in their education. Developing new skills will be an ongoing process and the education sector offers multiple options to develop knowledge and skills. PLC courses and apprenticeships are just some of the options available and I encourage students to take some time to consider the pathway best suited to them. The Leaving Certificate student helpline, at 1800 265 165, which is provided by the National Parents Council post-primary is also available for students to reach a guidance counsellor with any queries that they may have.
Today is of course a difficult day for some who will be disappointed. I would encourage those students to take some time, take stock and consider the many options available to them. Education is a lifelong process and there are a variety of learning pathways available to students.