Ms Cliodhna O'Neill:

I could speak more to that but it is worth noting that the NTRIS is across three Departments, namely: the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Education, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. As Ms. Cullen said, there is a strong correlation between enrolment in FET and retention to leaving certificate. If there is a drop in one, there is a rise in the other. Students choose a pathway at that point. The figure for junior cycle retention usually correlates with the school-leaving age of 16.