Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As this information will be used in the 2016-17 academic year, we have a period of time in which to address these issues. I questioned the reason the information requested under FOI was not given and I understand it was because it is normal, when deliberations are ongoing, that FOI requests are not granted. In other words, this matter still is under discussion, is not a final and set policy, if one likes, and this therefore is the reason the information was not forthcoming.

In general, the gathering of this information is not for any nefarious purpose but is for genuine planning purposes in the education system. We have had a POD in place at post-primary level for years and it provides useful information such as, for example, the retention figures at school. This kind of information comes out of the POD and is very useful in terms of planning and so on. People need to understand this has already been in place at all other levels, apart from further education, and that is the only purpose for which the Department of Education and Skills seeks the information.

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