Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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556. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding available to transition year groups to carry out their projects, particularly funding sources that are immediately available or currently open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53128/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The management authority of each school has responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year programme in that school.

Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.

In addition to the standard student capitation grant payable to schools by my Department a further programme grant of €95 is payable in respect of Transition Year students.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has undertaken an extensive review of senior cycle programmes and vocational pathways, including Transition Year, the Leaving Certificate Applied, Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and the Leaving Certificate Established. A key theme of this Review was the future form and reform of the existing senior cycle programmes, including Transition Year, with a desire expressed that Senior Cycle should provide adequate supports for whatever progression pathways are chosen by students. My Department is currently considering the NCCA’s advisory report, which will be published shortly.