The 1998 ESRI early school leavers survey of 1996-97 leavers indicates that about 81% of students currently complete second level education. Of these, 96.5% complete junior cycle and 3.5% leave with no qualifications, while a further 15.5% leave school after junior cycle but before completing senior cycle. In addition, it is estimated that some 824 pupils do not transfer from primary to second level school.
When account is taken of a range of factors such as inter-school transfer, these data are broadly in line with my Department's analysis in this area, which indicates a completion rate of some 83% for all pupils who entered first year of junior cycle some five to six years ago. Some 94% of students sit the junior certificate examination. The data are not available by postal district.
Given the vital significance of school completion for the life chances of our young people, I am very conscious of continuing to press for improvements in the numbers completing second level. As the Deputy will be aware, this is a complex and difficult issue with no easy solutions.