Irish Universities 'Discriminating' Against NI Students

Controversial 'timetabling' that only makes Irish university places available to A-Level students from Northern Ireland after an initial round of offers is made to southern applicants is now getting high level attention.

The Stormont Minister for Education, Sinn Féin's Caitríona Ruane, has said that young people in NI should not be disadvantaged in applying for university places in the south of Ireland.

The issue - which was highlighted by a concerned parent on BBC Radio Ulster earlier this week - centres on the Central Applications Office (CAO) in the Irish Republic.

It issued letters to schools and A-Level candidates in Northern Ireland which indicate that a different admissions process will be applied to applicants presenting GCE results from that applied to applicants presenting the republic's Leaving Certificate results.

There is a gap of several days between the Leaving Certificate results being published - which is quickly followed by offers of university places - and the publication of GCE results in Northern Ireland.

The Minister said: "I have been made aware of a potential issue which could see some of our young people who are applying to universities in the south of Ireland disadvantaged.

"This is an important event for our young people and it is essential that they are given every opportunity to apply on an equal basis for courses and places that can shape their future careers," she commented.

"I understand the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has been in contact with the Central Applications Office in the south to press for clarification," she said.

It is believed that the CAO has provided some "verbal assurances" that such candidates will not be disadvantaged relative to any previous year.

"However, we need to establish the exact position for students and parents as soon as possible. In addition, I will be raising this through the North/South Ministerial Council," said Minister Ruane.

(BMcC/JM)