The Commission on the Points System was set up in October 1997 and made its final recommendations in November 1999.

Here's a summary of the implementation of its recommendations to date:

The points system has been maintained as it is "broadly fair and transparent and generally accepted by the public at large'".

Access to third level: An action group, chaired by Dr Cormac McNamara, was appointed in September 2000, to advise on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote access by students with disabilities, students from disadvantaged backgrounds and mature students. Their report has been received and is being "considered" by the Department.

Irish bonus points: The recommendation on abolition of bonus points for answering through Irish in the Leaving Cert has been rejected.

The HEA is pursuing other recommendations, many of which fall within the responsibility of the third-level institutions themselves. The HEA is due to report to the Department "as soon as possible".

A committee to explore the possible introduction of a preliminary life sciences course as a prerequisite for entry into healthcare courses has yet to be established by the HEA.

Source: answer by the Minister for Education, Dr Michael Woods, to a Dβil question earlier this year.