CAO CAN'T DEFEND HIGH CHARGES

Second-Level Students' Union calls for review of CAO fees

15 August 2011

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union is urging the Central Applications Office (CAO) to revise the fee charged to submit an application for entry to third-level courses in 43 colleges of education across the state.Speaking this afternoon, an ISSU spokesperson said:“The fee which currently stands at €45 per application or a reduced fee of €35 for those that submit an early application generated the CAO a profit of almost €1.4m last year – the application fee for the U.K equivalent of the CAO, UCAS, stands at the sterling equivalent of just under €24.Over recent years, the majority of applications are now made online, substantially reducing the administrative burden on the Central Applications Office.  With this in mind, we firmly believe that the CAO fee should be reduced for 2011-2012 onwards particularly in the current economic climate in which the cost of education for parents and students is already a huge financial drain. Even a small reduction in the CAO charges could somewhat offset the newly increased student levy. It is simply not good enough for a not-for-profit company to charge exorbitant fees, resulting in grossly excessive profits. We should be encouraging our young people to further their education and any barrier to this is inexcusable". ***************** ENDS *****************Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected.ISSU's main aims include:

• To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
• To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
• To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
• To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
• To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
• And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.