At present, my Department does not collate data on the number of pupils who do not transfer from primary to second level. The latest information, published in the NESF report on early school leavers, 2002, estimated that between 700 and 1,000 primary school pupils do not make the transition to second level. My Department is working on the development of the first phase of a comprehensive primary pupil database which will facilitate the collation of comprehensive data on transfer rates from primary to second level in the future.
My Department operates a number of programmes which assist primary school students in making the transition to second level. These include the home school community liaison scheme and the school completion programme. I have allocated approximately €40 million to support these programmes in 2004.