Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent of student dropout, if any, at second and or third level in each of the past three years to date; if any particular trend emerges which might require action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31246/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The extent of student dropout at second level is published by my Department in the reports titled Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools. See link to the reports on my Department's website http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=17216&ecategory=46598&language=EN

The most recently published data, for the cohort who entered the Junior Cycle in 2004, and sat the Leaving Certificate in either 2009 or 2010, shows a nationally adjusted retention rate to the Leaving Certificate of 87.7%. An updated retention report will be published later in the summer.

The HEA is responsible for the collection of data on student progression at third level, I understand that the statistics requested by the Deputy are not available. The most recent report by the HEA entitled 'A Study of Progression in Higher Education' is available on the HEA website at www.hea.ie. The report demonstrates that there is a strong correlation between students' educational attainment, at secondary level, and their subsequent success in progressing through higher education. Further work on completion rates by students on level 8 courses in third level institutions is to be carried out by HEA later this year.