Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will commit to protecting DEIS in the coming years following the recent report from his Department on improved retention rates at post primary level including improved retention rates in DEIS schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51300/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The "Report on Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools" indicates that the number of students staying in school to complete their second level education is now at its highest rate ever. The percentage of students who sit the Leaving Cert overall has risen by almost 9% to 90.2% in 11 years.

It is particularly encouraging to see the retention rate in DEIS schools increase substantially, from 68.2% to 80.1%. The retention rates of pupils who entered the first year of the junior cycle in 2005 and 2006, which coincides with the introduction of DEIS, representing the first cohort of students to have DEIS resources available to them throughout their second level education.

I do not propose to comment in detail on the contents of the Budget in respect of the education sector in advance of Budget Day. However, it is my intention to protect front-line provision, including that in DEIS schools, to the greatest extent possible.