Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Education and Training Boards
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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1400. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Leaving Certificate (Established) is being taken from the College of Further Education and Training, O'Connell Avenue, Limerick, which has provided same since 2000; if he agrees that this decision is all the more shocking, because of the fact that in July 2023, Tusla reported a dramatic rise in early school leavers over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47908/23]
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Youthreach programme aims to provide early school leavers with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to participate fully in society and progress to further education, training and employment. The content of Youthreach programmes is a matter for the individual ETBs.
I understand that the latest Retention Report published by the Department of Education, based on post-primary first year entrants in 2016 recorded a slight decrease overall in retention rates from the previous year, driven by decreased participation by males in both DEIS schools, and community and comprehensive schools.
The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 noted that while there was a notable decline in early school leaving in Ireland, the early leaver group had become more marginalised and presenting with greater levels of need. The ESRI found that the emphasis on personal and social skills was seen to be key to the work of Youthreach staff and these elements operate alongside learners gaining qualifications. The kinds of qualifications offered varied significantly across centres, with a small minority offering the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Established programmes, and the majority providing QQI Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications. Learner need was identified as the primary basis for deciding on course provision, with many centres revising course offerings as the profile of learners changed.
Limerick and Clare ETB has advised my officials that the decision to discontinue delivery of the Leaving Certificate (Established) in the College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Limerick was taken as part of a wider curriculum review, which concluded that LCETB would focus Youthreach provision delivery on QQI awards and the Leaving Certificate Applied. This approach has been previously endorsed by the Inspectorate in various inspections of Youthreach provision and aligns with the practice generally across Youthreach centres nationwide.
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