Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Information on third-level feeder schools has been published in almost every national newspaper today and it makes for interesting reading. The data highlight the advantages and disadvantages in terms of what is happening in second-level education and the students who are continuing into third-level education.

It should be acknowledged that more schools are sending their pupils to third-level education, so real progress is being made in educational opportunities, despite the deep recession. Such opportunities are spread across society and families that historically could not have sent their children to third-level education, now have a greater chance of doing so. These matters deserve to be acknowledged.

There are other aspects involved in the transition from second to third-level education. One can see from the league tables that students attending fee-paying schools are more likely to attend college. Private schools, of which there are more than 50 in the State, have a 100% record of moving their students on to third-level education, but that is not the whole story. The report goes on to confirm that schools with higher numbers of disadvantaged students continue to send fewer pupils to college. Whatever progress has been made, we still have a situation whereby the State provides a subsidy of approximately €100 million to a small number of private schools - some 50 plus. The Government has continued to do so in the three budgets it has passed in this House.

Fairness in education is a principle worth campaigning and fighting for. Education should not be denied to people because of where they are born or because of their family circumstances. Third-level education should not be a preserve of privileged people who have the money to afford it.

Students attending private schools are guaranteed that they will go to a third-level college. That guarantee is not in the gift of disadvantaged families, however. Some of them get through but a greater number are left outside the third-level sector. We will have to address this.

Last week, we had a debate - which is still taking place - about top-ups totalling €3 million in the health sector. All guidelines for health CEOs and managers should be adhered to. However, we cannot oppose top-ups while at the same time providing a top-up of €100 million to private schools. It is a contradiction.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am aware that reports have been published on feeder schools for third level. Similar tables have been published by newspapers annually for more than a decade. My Department does not endorse these tables nor does it normally comment on them or encourage them in any way.

I am not in favour of the publication of these league tables based solely on rates of third level admissions in Ireland. Such tables provide an unbalanced, narrow focus and limited indication of a school's overall performance. For example, they do not take into account progression to universities in the UK or in other countries outside Ireland. Nor do they take into account progression to post leaving certificate courses.

There are also instances of inconsistencies between newspapers over what percentages of students from individual schools go on to higher education. This can be confusing for parents. The tables also fail to show how schools add value to the education of their students, often in difficult circumstances. A school in a disadvantaged area may have struggled and succeeded in getting a reasonable percentage of its students into third level, but could be placed on the list below a school that draws its students from much more advantaged backgrounds. In other words, the kind of league tables published today can inadvertently pit schools serving entirely different communities against each other in crude comparisons of academic performance alone.

The information in the tables concentrates on one aspect of school performance only and does not take into account the profile of students in the school. Experience from other countries shows that a single-minded pursuit of league table rankings by schools can greatly narrow the educational experience of students in our schools. It can reduce the pursuit of excellence and the provision of a well-rounded education that will stand to our students for further study and for life.

An overemphasis on those aspects of provision that are easily measurable can come at the expense of essential aspects of students' learning, such as their social and personal development. When choosing a school for their children, it is important for parents to consider not just the academic performance of the school but also the quality of its pastoral care, the culture of the school and, critically, how the school can meet the needs of their child.

The Minister has sought to ensure that more robust, relevant and readily accessible information is made available that provides a balanced picture of educational provision in individual post-primary schools. Inspections are now carried out on a regular basis on different aspects of provision in our post-primary schools and are published on the Departments' website.

In contrast to school league tables, I believe that school inspection reports when read in their entirety can provide balanced and well-informed information on schools. The inspection process involves an examination of all the varied activities of a school, from the quality of management and the quality of teaching and learning to the availability of extra-curricular activities and the implementation of policies in areas such as bullying, and health and safety. The inspection process also includes consultation with the school's board, parents and staff members and, at second level, with the school's students.

I am, of course, aware that transition to third level is of considerable importance. It is interesting to note that Ireland has the highest rate of transition to third level in the EU.

Today's reports are further evidence that the currency of success at senior cycle is now measured by the number of points achieved for entry into higher education. There is a significant backwash effect on teaching and learning in the senior cycle and, the junior cycle, from this narrow focus and measurement process. It is crucial that these and other factors do not lead to an education experience in senior cycle where there is more focus on rote learning and memorisation rather than on teaching students the higher order thinking skills necessary for success in life and in higher education.

The Minister has identified the reform of the transition from second level to higher education as a key priority. A high level group of education partners has made progress in agreeing commitments which will help to address concerns around the points entry system into higher education.

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Minister of State made some valid points in his reply, with which I largely agree, including that there are shortcomings in the league table system as currently set out. Similar comment has been made about it in previous years.

Despite the shortcomings of the system, what is indisputable is that those who attend private second level fee paying schools are virtually guaranteed a place in university to the disadvantage of those who do not have the financial resources to attend these schools. I believe in fairness in education. I do not, and have never, had any dispute with the existence of private schools. However, private schools in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England are not subsidised by the State. Why should Irish taxpayers have to pay for an elite collection of schools when taxpayers in our neighbouring jurisdictions do not? Essentially, this €100 million per annum in funding is a top-up to allow privileges to these schools, to which most families cannot afford to send their children.

The Minister of State and I have spoken about the democratic revolution, on which I will not comment further. While I believe in reform I believe more in fairness. There is no fairness in this system.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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As I mentioned earlier, the league tables published present a very inaccurate and unhelpful view of schools in that they provide information on only one aspect of school performance. I would encourage parents to look at school inspection reports, which are available on the Department's website and provide a far fuller, accurate and holistic view of what is happening in the individual school environment.

The Minister is currently prioritising reform of the entry system to higher education in an effort to reduce the negative backwash of the current system on teaching and learning in schools. These measures, combined with the alternative sources of information about schools available to parents, will negate the need or relevance of the type of league tables published to date. The central point made by the Deputy has been addressed by the Minister, Deputy Quinn, in the past two budgets by way of a considerable increase in the pupil-teacher ratio for private schools.