Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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64. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures she is taking to increase access to, and participation in, transition year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8489/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Transition Year programme is a valuable optional programme at Senior Cycle. It offers students opportunities for life skills, for personal, social and academic development, and to explore different pathways and gain experience of adult and working life.

This year, over 60,000 students are enrolled in TY programmes representing a record level of participation. Since 2018, the number of students choosing Transition year has increased by more than 14,000. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government commits to promoting the expansion of the Transition Year programme and addressing the barriers faced by some students in accessing it.

The annual October Returns from schools confirm that the vast majority of schools offer the TY programme. Approximately 1% of schools have no students currently enrolled in Transition year or do not to offer the programme.

In late 2024, my Department conducted a survey with all post-primary schools to help identify the barriers to participation and assess the level of unmet demand for access to Transition Year. The results of this survey will help inform the approach to ensuring universal access to the TY programme so that all students who wish to take part can have the opportunity to do so.

Currently, the Transition Year programme is supported by the Transition Year Grant, which is paid on a per capita basis each year in addition to regular capitation payments to all post-primary schools in the free scheme. As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024, the rate of the Transition Year Grant was restored to the pre-2011 level of €100 per student in post-primary schools.

I am committed, as part of Senior Cycle Redevelopment, to ensuring that in the future, every student in every school who wishes to participate in the programme will have the opportunity to do so.

My officials and I are continuing to examine any additional supports or resources that may be needed by schools in order to facilitate this.