evidence: The number of students who went on to third-level education jumped "sharply" in 2020, as the pandemic hit employment and foreign travel opportunities for school leavers, according to a new report. [...] In a statement issued with the report Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris said he was pleased to note the number of people on apprenticeships was increasing. [...] The Minister said he was "thrilled" at the increase in students going on to postgraduate research studies.