Vol. 406 No. 4
63 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she has examined the rate of participation in third level education on a county by county basis; the plans she has, if any, to encourage and improve the rate of participation from those counties from the lowest levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware of, and have examined, the data referred to by the Deputy which relate to new entrants in 1986. The percentage of students sitting the leaving certificate who transfer to third level education has increased significantly from 35 per cent in 1986 to approximately 45 per cent at present. This increase must reflect higher participation rates in all counties in the interim, including those counties with the lowest participation in 1986. This process will continue under the various measures to generally increase the number of third level places under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
The advent of the new regional technical college in Tallaght should be of particular assistance in redressing the problem of lower than average participation in the Dublin area.
Retention at second level has been identified as one of the more significant predictors of third level participation rates. Under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress my Department will also be bringing forward specific measures under which disadvantaged second level schools will be targeted for special action designed to develop supportive linkages with third level in an effort to motivate and facilitate pupils of suitable ability to proceed to third level education. Arrangements will also be made to allocate third level places for students from disadvantaged areas.
My Department will continue to monitor the rates of participation by county and to that end are taking steps to have the data corresponding to that provided in the Clancy report of 1988 updated as soon as possible.
