Vol. 260 No. 12
asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the alterations in the entry requirements of the National University of Ireland with particular reference to the reduction in the number of subjects to four required to be passed in the examination for the purpose of entry to university.
53.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make representations to the National University of Ireland with a view to extending the number and scope of subjects recognised as acceptable for the matriculation certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
54.
asked the Minister for Education if he will make representations to the National University of Ireland with a view to having subjects taken in leaving certificate recognised for the purposes of the matriculation certificate entrance to University; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 52, 53 and 54 together.
The question of determining the requirements for passing the matriculation examination of the National University of Ireland is entirely the responsibility of the university authorities, and I exercise no function in the matter.
The Deputy seems to be under a misapprehension in relation to his reference to four subjects. It is necessary to matriculate in six subjects. The reference to four subjects deals with the combining of results at the matriculation examination with results at the leaving certificate examination for the purpose of matriculating.
Most of the subjects of the leaving certificate course—28 from a list of 34 —are accepted for the purposes of matriculation. The question of having the other six subjects, that is to say, home economics (scientific and social); home economics (general); technical drawing; general musicianship; building construction; and engineering workshop theory and practice, accepted is being pursued with the university authorities.
