Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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238. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of school leavers progressing to third level; and if she will distinguish between institutes of technology, universities and other colleges. [36346/14]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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239. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of school leavers progressing to third level, broken down into areas of Dublin. [36347/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 together.

My Department's data indicate that, on average, 50% of students who finish second level education progress directly on to higher education in the year they complete school. In addition, a further 28% of school leavers progress directly on to a PLC or other further/second level course.

Generally speaking, over 64% of any final year second level cohort will ultimately transfer to a third level institution before reaching the mature student age. If mature students are factored in, the Higher Education Authority estimates that the figure rises to around 69%.

Annual statistical data provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) indicate that 49% of new entrants to higher education in 2012-13 went to the universities, 46% to the Institutes of Technology and 5% to other colleges. HEA figures include entrants who progress on to higher education directly from school, as well as those who progress at a later stage or as mature students. The vast majority (81%) of higher education entrants are age 17-20 years.

In August, the HEA published a consultation paper on the development of the next national access plan for higher education. This paper included estimates of participation rates in higher education in 2011 among the 18-20 year old age cohort of young people from each Dublin postal district. It should be noted that as well as young people completing the leaving certificate, this population would include a number who left school before that point, who may be in the labour force (employed or unemployed) or in further education or training.

The following table shows the estimated participation rates by Dublin postal code for (i) entrants to higher education of all ages and (ii) entrants to higher education from the 18-20 year old age cohort.