The Higher Education Minister has announced a huge expansion of the college courses available outside of the points system.
A new tertiary degree scheme will allow future students to apply for undergraduate degrees outside of the CAO route.
Since its launch in July, over 800 people have applied to the scheme.
Speaking on the issue, Education Minister Simon Harris said this is another step in the dismantling Ireland's outdated points system.
"This is the future.
This is reform.
This is how we're going to break that stranglehold,
That national obsession about points."
We are doubling the number of courses available outside the CAO.
This will offer educational opportunities to all students, no matter how many points they get. pic.twitter.com/0oUUZ3bGqD— Fine Gael (@FineGael) September 21, 2023
Minister Harris says he's excited for the future of these courses.
"We set up the National Tertiary Office, where you can now do a tertiary degree.
In other words, start your degree in further education, finish it in higher education and be accepted onto the degree with no reference to what points he got in the leaving Cert.
Well, today I'm announcing that we're now going to double the number of courses that are eligible for this from next September."
