The first published analysis by my Department of school retention in Ireland was released in August this year. The report indicates that: of those who commenced the junior cycle programme in September 1994, approximately 3,600 – 5.7% – left school before completing the junior certificate three years later; that approximately 8,900 of those who sat the junior certificate did not sit the leaving certificate; and that approximately 12,500 – 18.2% – young people leave school annually without the leaving certificate.
My Department's policy in relation to the retention of young people who are at risk of early school leaving is to support young people in school and to support schools to adapt to the needs of the young people experiencing difficulties. The problem of early school leaving is a complex issue to resolve and requires movement on a number of fronts, including legislative and curricular reforms and preventative interventions and this is the approach that my Department is taking.