Colm M. Hilliard
Question:159 Mr. Hilliard asked the Minister for Education if she has records of pupils who fall out of the educational system from the day they commence at primary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7400/95]
Written Answers. - School Drop-Outs.
My Department does not have detailed records of pupils who fall out of the education system.
I am concerned at the current lack of adequate data in this area. Indeed, this deficiency was one of the issues identified in the report of my Department's working group on school attendance/ truancy.
In keeping with its commitment to address the problems of truancy and early drop-out, the Government has charged my colleague, Minister of State Deputy Austin Currie, with special responsibility in this area.
The Minister of State recently announced the establishment of a special Task Force to examine submissions received from interested parties in response to the truancy report, and to consider the measures required to address this problem.
The question of improved data availability is one of the key issues at present being addressed by the Task Force.