Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
461. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education if she will support the adoption of a national transition year programme for students who are blind or vision impaired with ring-fenced funding of an additional €150,000 per annum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46487/21]
View answerThe management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year Programme in that school.
Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.
The NCCA has undertaken an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways, including Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established which considers the needs of all students including those who are blind or visually impaired.
A key theme of this Review was the future form and reform of the existing senior cycle programmes. This includes the range of learning programmes and pathways available to students at senior cycle, with a desire expressed that Senior Cycle should provide adequate supports for whatever progression pathways are chosen by students.
My Department is currently considering this and other aspects of the NCCA’s advisory report, which will be published shortly.
The Deputy may also be aware that I launched the NCBI Transition Year Programme and recently met with NCBI to continue our engagement on progress with the project to date.
My Department has, in advance of the Budget, received pre-budget submissions from a number of stakeholders in the education sector and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2022.
