The introduction of university fees in the UK could raise points levels for courses in Ireland, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Willie O'Dea, has said. At the launch of the National Parents Council's exams and CAO helpline yesterday, Mr O'Dea said the introduction of fees in the UK would inevitably create extra demand for third-level places in the Republic. "It will probably raise the number of points needed to get into courses and I'm sure it will put extra pressure on post-Leaving Cert places because people will opt for a PLC course here instead of doing a degree course in the UK."
Mr O'Dea said the Government would not decide on any response to the proposed introduction of tuition fees in the UK until the British government's position on the Dearing report became clearer.
"There are various questions, for example, is it going to cover students who are in the system already or is it just students who come in this September? The whole thing seems to be a bit confused at the moment.
"We haven't formulated a response to it yet or decided what we're going to do about it in practical terms and we don't propose to do that until we see the White Paper which David Blunkett is going to produce in September."
The National Parents Council's Exams and CAO helpline will operate from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 19th, the day students will receive their Leaving Certificate Results, and on August 25th, when students will receive their CAO offers.