Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I hand over to Senator O’Reilly, I must say that I concur with Ms Feeney. Mr. Slattery also spoke about the leaving certificate applied programme. It is a fantastic programme and is not given the recognition it deserves. Every student has something to offer. Students often go through a phase in their life and they could be in their early 20s before they have a light bulb moment and realise they have great potential to offer. Some of them may or may not have completed the leaving certificate applied. It is a programme the Department of Education should push more through the secondary schools.

It is a fantastic programme that has saved an awful lot of lives by retaining people in secondary education who might have gone over the edge for various reasons, such as social or domestic issues. It is often only when they are in their early 20s that a light is switched on and they realise the potential they have.