Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Six-Year Second Level Cycle.

Tomás MacGiolla

Question:

170 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Education the total number of second level schools which are sanctioned to offer a six year programme to leaving certificate students excluding vocational training preparation courses; if she will categorise these schools by number and percentage of (1) secondary schools, (2) fee-charging schools, (3) community schools and (4) vocational schools/colleges; and if she will sanction further schools to offer such a cycle.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Exclusive of vocational preparation and training programmes, a total of 208 post-primary schools are providing six year programmes to leaving certificate. The schools concerned may be categorised as follows:

(A)	(B)	(C)
Category	Total in category	No. with six year programmes
(1) Secondary schools in the free education scheme	438	101
(2) Secondary schools — fee charging	58	45
(3) Community and comprehensive schools	63	13
(4) Vocational schools and colleges	250	49

As the Deputy will be aware my Department are currently examining the total provision of schools which already provide a second level programme extending over six years so as to allow further consideration on the varied range of a six year cycle option.