‘Creaking’ universities may struggle to provide extra places
The Irish Times.
The government has pledged to provide an additional 2,000 third-level college places in high-demand courses this year in response to a record number of applicants and expected grade inflation this year.
However, Jim Miley, director general of the Irish Universities Association, said it will be extremely difficult to source additional places in some areas due to a combination of funding and regulatory obstacles. “There is a willingness from the sector to take in more students provided they are appropriately resourced,” he said. “While there is capacity in some areas, in other sectors it is extremely difficult to produce extra numbers due to issues such as clinical placements and capacity constraints.”