The information requested regarding the number of pupils at second level is set out in table 1. The recently published ESRI annual school leavers survey for 1995 of school leavers in 1993-94 shows that 2,200 students left second level schools with no qualifications. The report identified a retention rate of 82 per cent at second level. The Deputy will be aware that the Department has a range of measures in place to tackle the problem of early school leavers. The White Paper on Education, Charting our Education Future, outlines the objective of the Government to increase the retention rate of young people to completion of senior cycle to at least 90 per cent by the year 2000.
With regard to the age cohort taking examinations, the position is that the junior certificate examination is taken by pupils at the age of 14, 15 or 16 years and the leaving certificate examination is taken by pupils at the age of 17, 18, 19 or 20 years. Candidates may repeat the leaving certificate examination but may not repeat the junior certificate examination. It is not possible to give the Deputy the information which he has sought in the precise form in which he has requested it.
I have provided information for the Deputy regarding examinations in table 2. I have counted all results of grade D or higher at any level as "passes".
