Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am deputising for Deputy Stanton, who asked me to ask the Minister whether the Department of Education and Skills has done a cost-benefit analysis on the cost of transition year. For my part, I strongly believe a curriculum needs to be laid down. Issues have been raised with regard to the disappointing PISA results. We all know certain subjects need to be taught, including languages and science subjects. I am conscious this is all against a backdrop of budgetary constraints and that we need value for money. Although many students and parents have reported a good experience of transition year, a significant number of students have reported a disappointing experience. Are we getting value for money?

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