The Irish university system is open to the charge of failing students, writes Seán Flynn, Education Editor
Thousands of Irish Leaving Cert students are succeeding in securing places in prestige colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland after further studies here.
But the development leaves the Irish university system vulnerable to the charge that it has failed them.
The students are taking the Ucas option - even though they are liable for fees of £1,175 sterling per annum.
The students - some of whom may have relatively low CAO points scores - are using a roundabout system to gain entry to British colleges.
They are opting for well-regarded courses at post-Leaving Cert (PLC) level and in the institutes of technology (IOT). Both the PLC and the IOT sectors are working closely with UK universities to develop these courses.
So why are Irish universities not serving these needs?
The colleges, which are already facing a funding crisis, say they do not have the resources to provide places other than directly from the Leaving Certificate exam.
The biggest supplier of Irish students to the British Ucas system over the past three years is Coláiste Dhúlaigh in Coolock, Dublin, which sent 201 students to Britain. Coláiste Dhúlaigh runs very well regarded PLC courses.
Many of these attract students who are shut out of high-points courses here but, armed with PLC qualification, they are accepted to prestige and high-points courses in the UK.
The institutes of technology are also working hard to provide alternative routes for students. The top feeder IOTs include Carlow and Galway/Mayo.
The figures are set to spark new controversy about the so-called elitism of the university sector here.
Most honours degree courses require at least 350 points but only about 35 per cent of Leaving Cert students achieve this figure or above.
As the figures show, thousands of students have no option but to travel to Britain or Northern Ireland if they wish to pursue their desired courses.
The figures also reveal the large number of students from Border counties attending colleges in Northern Ireland.
Carndonagh Community school, Co Donegal sent 95 students over the past three years. Others include Loreto, Letterkenny (56) and St Louis, Monaghan (46), St Macartan, Monaghan (44) and Convent of Mercy, Buncrana ( 37).