The points system is to remain with us. College places will continue to be allocated, by and large, to the applicants achieving the highest scores in the Leaving Certificate.
This is good news, as the strengths of the current system are its openness, impartiality and efficiency. The third-level college applications system is safe from the scourge of Irish life - clientelism.
Influence in the shape of wealth, business or political connections will continue to count for naught when it comes to adding up points for college entry.
The report and final recommendations of the Points Commission dismisses the putative use of aptitude tests, school references, personal statements and interview tests as selection methods. The Commission on the Points System commission noted the concern expressed during its consultative process that influence might be brought to bear on interview boards.
There are also organisational difficulties in interviewing 65,000 students. When it comes to tests and interviews, coaching could also benefit the already advantaged.
A research paper published by the points commission found that there was a strong, but not perfect, correlation between an individual's performance at the Leaving Certificate and his or her subsequent performance at higher-level education.
Noting the pressure experienced by many Leaving Cert students, the commission agrees the exam should begin to recognise a wider range of skills, intelligences and achievements. While leaving the system of college entry for school-leavers largely intact, the report makes a some much-needed recommendations for those at the margins - in particular, mature students and the disadvantaged.
At present, mature students make up about 5 per cent of the third-level intake here, whereas in many OECD countries they account for up to 40 per cent of third-level intake. The commission recommends that by the year 2005, each third-level institution should set aside a quota of at least 15 per cent of places for students entering at 23 or above.
Many mature applicants have expressed concern about the fairness of selection procedures.
The commission recommends that third-level institutions move towards a co-ordinated system of assessment of mature student applications, under the CAO, and that such a system be in place for those seeking a place in autumn 2002. There should also be a wide welcome for its recommendation that a person who did not enter third-level education on leaving school should have access to the same financial support as a school-leaver.
One criticism often levelled at the points system is that it fails the socio-economically disadvantaged. While 16 per cent of the population generally belongs to the lower socio-economic groups, it is estimated fewer than 2 per cent of third-level students are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
As pointed out by the Institute of Guidance Counsellors in its submission to the commission, many such students would have had difficulty in gaining entry to third level before the points system ever existed.
The problems of students experiencing educational disadvantage begin at pre-school. It is the failure of the education system rather than the points system that needs to be addressed.
The commission recommends a quota of 5 per cent of all first-year places in all courses to be set aside for disadvantaged students. It suggests building on current targeted initiatives, with a need to develop a national approach to ensuring that special access schemes should encompass disadvantaged students who are attending schools which are not themselves designated as disadvantaged. Additional financial support, over and above the current maintenance grants scheme, should be made available.
When people talk about the points race and pressure, it should be borne in mind that there were some 60 courses this year (mostly certificates in institutes of technology and courses in private colleges) which accepted all applicants with minimum Leaving Cert requirements.
At the other end of the scale, there are a relatively small number of courses, largely in the healthcare area, where demand for places far exceeds supply. As a result, points are very high.
The commission favours a proposal from Dr Martin Newell, of the CAO, which suggests that medical training courses be offered at postgraduate level. However, it is suggested the key bodies in policy-making on healthcare training should set up a committee to explore the issue.
The decision to recommend the abolition of bonus points for students taking the Leaving Certificate through Irish is brave.
Some compensation for Irish-medium students will be the opening up of the 10 per cent of places in teacher-training colleges to students who received their education through Irish. These were previously reserved for Gaeltacht applicants.