395. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason Leaving Certificate appeal results are provisionally scheduled to issue on 25 September 2026, after the completion of the first four rounds of CAO offers and their acceptance deadlines; whether she has assessed the impact on students whose grades and CAO points increase following a successful appeal, but who may be unable to access courses for which they would otherwise have qualified; whether her Department, the State Examinations Commission and the CAO have considered alternative arrangements to ensure such students are not disadvantaged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49516/26]

Higher education policy falls under the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). My Department works closely with DFHERIS, which has emphasised its strong commitment to supporting students’ access to further and higher education, including through the development of alternative pathways outside of the CAO system and the expansion of capacity in high-demand courses in recent years.

DFHERIS has advised that arrangements are in place within the CAO system to ensure that applicants who secure an improved grade on appeal can be considered for subsequent offer rounds. Where places remain available, or where additional capacity arises, eligible applicants may receive a revised offer in later rounds. Most applicants who receive an improved grade on appeal are accommodated through these processes in the current academic year. It is recognised, however, that due to the sequencing of these processes, there may be limited instances where an applicant’s upgraded result issues after key CAO rounds have concluded, and where it is not possible to join the current academic year. In such cases, higher education institutions may make provision for a deferred place, allowing the applicant to take up their programme in the following academic year.

In relation to the Leaving Certificate appeals process, the State Examinations Commission (SEC) has responsibility for the delivery of the State examinations, including the timing of the Leaving Certificate appeals process.

In view of this, I have asked the SEC to respond directly to the Deputy.