The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme is one of a number of options made available by my Department for Senior Cycle students which schools can choose from, based on the education needs and interests of their students. The LCA is a two-year programme designed for those students who do not wish to proceed directly to higher education or for those whose needs, aptitudes and learning styles are not fully catered for by the other two Leaving Certificate programmes.
It is the responsibility and choice of each individual school to decide to put in place the LCA programme, including the admittance of a student to the programme, in their school and therefore not a matter for my Department to decide. I am aware that the number of schools offering the programme has declined. I have asked that the LCA will form part of the review of Senior Cycle that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will shortly commence.