Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of children who fail to make the transition from primary to secondary school. [10806/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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On the annual census form filled in by primary school principals we ask them to provide information on:

(A) The number of leavers (excluding those who emigrated) who did not go to any school within the State, and;

(B) The number of leavers whose destination is unknown.

Data compiled from the census forms shows that in the 12 month period ending 30 September 2005, 263 children left who as far as the primary principal was aware did not go to any school within the State, while a further 543 children were declared as 'destination unknown'. It is not possible to be certain about where the children declared as 'destination unknown' went so it would be inaccurate to claim that all of these failed to transfer to post-primary education. The development of an individualised database for primary pupils will facilitate the collation of much more accurate and comprehensive data on transfer rates in the future. Together with the current Post-Primary Pupil Database, this will allow much improved tracking of where children go after primary school.

Measures designed to improve school completion include the establishment of the National Educational Welfare Board in 2002 with a remit to monitor school attendance and tackle the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving, which includes the transfer of pupils from primary to post primary.

Working with parents to promote school attendance is an important part of the work of the Home School Community Liaison Scheme (HSCL) and in addition to this, a key component of the School Completion Programme (SCP) is developing strong links between primary and post-primary schools in disadvantaged areas. The key principle of early intervention, to identify and help children at risk of leaving school early is a major component of DEIS, with a continuing emphasis being placed on the development of effective transfer programmes for pupils making the transition to second-level, by building on the existing work of the HSCL scheme and the School Completion Programme in this area.

Initiatives such as Familiarisation Days and week-long transfer programmes for new entrants to second level have been shown to have very positive results in helping children to make a smooth transition to their new school. I am anxious that a strengthening of such programmes be prioritised under the new Action Plan.