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

The Deputy may be aware of a report from last February showing that of students who started post-primary school in 2008 almost 97% sat the junior certificate and more than 90% sat the leaving certificate. Ireland's upper secondary retention rates compare favourably with other EU member states. In Ireland we have a broad and balanced model of education which seeks not to compartmentalise students' learning at too early an age. An expert independent group has recently recommended against making employment-based training programmes or apprenticeships available to Irish students under 16. We also currently provide vocational opportunities through the leaving certificate vocational programme. This programme is taken by about 30% of students and combines academic subjects with so-called link modules which focus on enterprise and preparation for the world of work. The leaving certificate applied also provides vocational opportunities for senior cycle students. Pathways like Youthreach give such options for early school leavers. Work experience also features prominently in transition year, which is taken by two thirds of 15 and 16 year olds. Ireland is moving in the right direction in providing a broad balanced education for students, while having regard to best practice in other countries.

On the apprenticeship issue, we are really talking about students aged 16 years and upwards in full apprenticeships which involves employers and so forth, on which the Minister of State, Deputy English, has just spoken.

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