Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to the House. I understand we are to be joined by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, who will also contribute to the Bill I have proposed, the Education (Welfare) (Amendment) Bill 2015.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 to increase the minimum school age from 16 to 17 and to allow vocational apprenticeships, the primary purpose of which are educational, to count as school attendance. The Bill also proposes to amend the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 and change the minimum age of employment for young people from 16 to 17. I hope it is not a sign of things to come but as I was preparing my speech for the debate, my computer blew up so please excuse me if I go from one to the other. It literally blew up while I was typing not that there was anything explosive in it.

The Bill comprises five sections. Section 1 deals with the amendment of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. Section 2 deals with the amendment of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996. Section 3 deals with vocational apprenticeships. Section 4 deals with the commencement and section 5 deals with the Short Title and collective citation.

I am delighted the both Ministers, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, and Deputy James Reilly, will contribute to the debate because while primary responsibility for the implementation of and any amendment to the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 lies with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Minister for Education and Skills retains responsibility for a number of schools and further education and training related provisions. While it is the Department of the Minister, Deputy Reilly, which has responsibility for setting the school leaving age, the proposals contained in the Bill also impact on the policy remit of the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. This is a good all-rounder and is cross-departmental and we need to see more of this.

As spokesperson for education and as a person with many years experience in the classroom and having seen young people leave school at a young age with no formal qualification, I hope this Bill will improve the lives of young people by ensuring they have a better education and or qualification on leaving. That was the purpose behind drafting this Bill.

In 1972 the school leaving age increased from 14 to 15 years of age. The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 increased the age to 16 years or on completion of three years of secondary education whichever is the later. Thankfully, I have noticed a decrease in the number of early school leavers in latter years. In fact, Ireland's early school leaver rate has dropped from 9.7% in 2012 to 6.9% in 2014, which is well below the EU average of 11.2% for 2014. When all the EU countries are considered, Ireland is ranked tenth out of 28 and below our target under the Europe 2020 strategy, so we are well on course. It is clear that many students are staying on to complete the leaving certificate.

The figures for the junior certificate released by the Department of Education and Skills' analysis of school retention rates among State aided schools last February noted that from the numbers who enrolled in 2008, as first time enrolments, 96.8% sat the junior certificate in 2011 or 2012 and 90% sat the leaving certificate in 2013 or 2014. The numbers are also increasing in DEIS schools in recent years with its current level at 82.1%. The discrepancy between DEIS and non-DEIS schools is clear. While these figures are encouraging, it is important that we do more to ensure our young people, particularly those in DEIS schools, get every opportunity and encouragement to stay at school until at least the age of 17 years.

The report notes that the true education retention figure comparable to upper secondary level education is probably higher as the report does not have any analysis of students who pursue different educational pathways which can provide qualifications equivalent to that of the leaving certificate or the national framework of qualifications. For example, some apprenticeships, PLC courses and so on can attain level four and level five on the national framework of qualifications which is the same as the leaving certificate but are not included on the retention analysis. My colleague will address the issue of apprenticeships.

Ó Fiaich College in my hometown of Dundalk is very supportive of young people who have left school early. Recently, it has introduced a level four course for people who left school early and who wish to return to education. It is brilliant that colleges and institutes are doing so much to encourage people back into education. Dundalk Institute of Technology, one of the leading institutes of technology, is offering opportunities to further study for people who have completed apprenticeships and qualifications to move up the scale to a level six or level seven qualification.

It is appropriate to note that of almost 3,000 apprenticeships registered with SOLAS in 2014, only 1% was 16 years of age, 4% were aged 17 or 18, 19% were aged 19, 15% were aged 20 and 44% were aged over 22. It is good to note they are staying on. Some 25% of these apprentices had completed the junior certificate and 68% had completed the leaving certificate, with 7% having other qualifications.

Figures indicate that the majority of dropout at second level occurs between fifth and sixth year or within the last two years in school, with 3.5% leaving school around this time. It is probably the most vulnerable time when they are growing up and asking what their chances are. Around this age, it is important to try to hold on to them in school. Approximately 2% leave school directly after the junior certificate.

The Department of Education and Skills undertook a report on early school leavers from post-primary schools, pupils enrolled in 2009-10 but not in 2010-11, entitled Early Leavers - What Next?, which showed that a considerable proportion entered other forms of education or training. Almost 70% had moved into PLC courses, FÁS courses, education or training outside the State, Youthreach or private educational institutions.

We need to address the reasons for early school leaving. A school leavers' survey was conducted by the Department of Education and Skills in 2007, eight years ago, but the reasons for leaving then are still pertinent today. Some 62% of those who left school early cited school factors as the reason, 60% cited economic or work factors, 14% family factors and 5% health factors. A further study by the ESRI in 2010 on the dynamics of early school leaving noted that those who left school early did so because they felt rejected by the school, reporting a lack of encouragement from the school or, in some cases, being expelled. Some felt rejection of the school, dislike of school, rules, teachers or other students or feelings of under achievement. Labour market opportunities were also cited as were personal issues and sometimes a combination of all four. Even since 2010, schools around the country are doing what they can to improve and to encourage students to stay. When the new junior certificate comes on stream the syllabi will be even more interesting and will relate to the person's individuality and interest. That will be another positive step forward.

Thankfully, the vast majority of our students today sail through school with no problems and complete their education at 17 or 18 years. However, it is the small minority who need encouragement. We have many resources and second chance opportunities such as Youthreach, community training centres and apprenticeships.

In regard to Traveller culture, I have known students who have left school immediately after the junior certificate or on their 16th birthday in order to marry. I have spoken before of one particular student I had who was particularly gifted at school but who did not return after her junior certificate. Within two years, she had three small children. We need to ensure that every pathway is available for these people to return to education and when they make the decision to leave that the door is always open for them to come back into education.I have met students who left school at 16. Many of them could not wait to reach 16 so they could do so. I also recall meeting one such student, a girl, when she was 19 years of age and working in a shop, and she told me she wished she had stayed at school. It is important we get the information out to these students, many of whom do not know about the opportunities available to them to return to education.

I thank the Minister for coming to the House to deal with this Bill. I accept that there are issues surrounding certain aspects of it but I am confident that these can be agreed without difficulty. I commend the Bill to the House.