I spoke last week on Minister Harris’s announcement regarding alternative routes to the CAO process for certain courses, doubling the offers from last year. https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/df5ea-minister-harris-announces-major-expansion-of-joint-degree-courses-with-more-than-40-options-to-be-offered/

I welcome today’s announcement from the Minister, Deputy Harris, on what is the deadline day for the CAO process, of a major expansion in courses outside the CAO process. We all know the stresses. I am sure the Deputy Leader knows as a parent, as do others who have gone through the process, that the CAO points system places stresses on pupils, parents and their wider families.

Today the Minister, Deputy Harris, has announced a major expansion in degree courses outside of the CAO process. Last year he launched the first degree courses outside the points system. Today, they are doubling the offering for students, so there are alternatives to the points race. These courses offer an alternative to the CAO system. They are aimed at ensuring points do not determine educational choices or career opportunities. It is important that young people note that more than 40 courses will be available in 2024. The Minister wishes to advise young people that after school they can consider options to be a nurse or engineer or work in ICT or construction without worrying about their points. As I have said, the courses include business, nursing, engineering, music, sound production and software development. This is the second year of programmes and we continue to learn from the roll-out and delivery of third-level courses. In the western region, through the Atlantic Technological University, Galway and Roscommon ETB, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB and Donegal ETB, we have courses in science, industrial laboratory science, engineering, sustainable engineering technologies, business and general nursing. This is a very welcome endeavour and initiative by the Minister, Deputy Harris. We should invite him to the House some time to update us on these exciting developments and initiatives and whatever plans he may have for further expansion of this in the years ahead.