Sir, - The March 14th edition of The Irish Times contained what at first sight appeared to be glad tidings for all Leaving Cert students an article entitled "College applications lowest since 1993". A closer perusal revealed that, sadly, this is not so. To date, college applications this year number 59,635. Already, this represents 3,130 more applicants than last year.
The Irish Times estimates a further 2,000 late applicants by the closing date, May 1st. The true picture, therefore, is that there will be a substantial increase, not a decrease, on last year's numbers. (incidentally, last year's figures are the only statistics which matter to this year's applicants. Current indications are that there will be about 5,000 more applications this year.)
Your article goes on to say: "Last year was said to be a good year for applicants." Sadly again, this was not so. Everyone knows that points rose once again last year for most university courses. During the weeks following the issue of Leaving Cert results your paper, in common with the other daily newspapers, carried reports about proposals to create about 7,000 extra university places to cater for last year's shortfall. Needless to say, the 7,000 places did not materialise last year.
The latest "exciting" news on that front is the promise of 1,000 extra third level places in business related courses. This is an insulting token gesture to this year's greatly increased numbers of Leaving Cert students. if 7,000 extra university places were needed to cater for last year's shortfall, you do not have to be a mathematician to work out that given that no extra places were created last year, 12,000 additional places will be needed this year. Yet, in this election year, no one has espoused the cause of the school leaver.
Every election candidate should realise that, thanks to the six year secondary cycle, the majority of this year's school leavers will have the vote. I, in common with my fellow enfranchised Leaving Cert students, will vote for the candidate/party who does something effective to redress this wrong in time for this year's students to benefit. - Yours, etc.,
Castleknock,
Co Dublin.