Vol. 481 No. 5
127 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who fail to complete senior cycle; the number who participate in programmes either of his own Department or of other Departments; and the outcome of these courses in terms of job placement or further education and training. [16536/97]
The latest published data available refers to the 1995 ESRI annual school leavers survey of 1993-94 leavers. This shows that 2,200 pupils left school without completing junior cycle and a further 10,000 left school without completing senior cycle. In addition, an estimated 900 to 1,000 per annum fail to transfer to post-primary school.
Of these, some 5,438 students participated in further education and training on Youthreach, vocational preparation and training or other programmes provided by FÁS or CERT.
The main programme targeted at unqualified early school leavers is Youthreach. Of those who complete the foundation phase of Youthreach, 32 per cent progress to employment and 34 per cent to further education and training.
