From September 1994, on the introduction of the restructured senior cycle programme, schools have been offered the option of providing the transition year programme.
Schools wishing to offer the transition year programme for the 1994-95 school-year were required to notify my Department by January, 1994 of their intention to offer the programme. A total of 575 schools did so. A transition year had been in operation in 159 of those schools in the 1993/94 and previous school years.
My Department is, at present, seeking confirmation from schools of the actual up-take and I will make this information available to the Deputy when it has been assembled.
I have taken the following steps to assist schools in providing the transition year programme.