Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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249. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to an individual (details supplied) who has not been successful in obtaining a placement in fourth year in their current school for the coming year, but who wishes to undertake the transition year course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14880/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management of a school is the body charged with the direct governance of a school and is accountable to the Patron of the school. The School Principal manages the school on a day-to-day basis.

The Board of Management provides direction and oversight of the subjects and education programmes offered by a school and the Board makes the final decision about the type and nature of programmes to offer, taking into account all available resources. In that regard, the management authority of each school carries responsibility for making decisions regarding the Transition Year programme in that school and the admissions criteria for entry to the programme.

It is a matter for a school to determine the number of places it makes available in Transition Year in a given year. Timetabling for the academic year is arranged by the school and unfortunately this may not always be able to accommodate every student’s subject or programme choice.

In cases where restrictions apply, schools should have clear procedures regarding admission to the programme which indicate how places are allocated to students if there is over or under subscription for a particular subject or programme.

Where a student has been unable to access a Transition Year place, it is open to them and/or their parents to discuss any concerns with the Principal and/or guidance counsellor, or follow the steps outlined in their admissions policy or complaints procedures.

As part of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme, I am committed to expanding access to Transition Year and to supporting schools in giving every student the option of participating in Transition Year in the future. My officials are currently working to identify barriers to participation and understand their causes and this work will inform my approach to making Transition Year accessible to all.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the new transition year programme statement comes into effect; if it references and provides guidance around refusal of applications for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14896/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Transition Year is a valuable programme for students that offers opportunities for life skills, personal, social and academic development and experience of adult and working life.

All schools design their own Transition Year programmes within set guidelines to suit the needs and interests of their students. As the Deputy is aware, a new Transition Year Programme Statement was published last September and provides a framework for schools to develop their programmes.

Over the 2024/25 school year, all schools have the opportunity to audit their current Transition Year offering and revise it where necessary in line with the Programme Statement. The new Programme Statement then applies to programmes commencing in the next school year (2025/26) across all schools who offer Transition Year.

The Programme Statement continues to offer schools a significant level of autonomy while placing more structure on the design of Transition Year programmes. The Programme Statement was developed following public consultation in which the level of autonomy for schools was welcomed while also providing parameters and guidance within which schools will work to develop the TY Programme.

It is a matter for a school to determine the number of places it makes available in Transition Year in a given year. Timetabling for the academic year is arranged by the school and unfortunately this may not always be able to accommodate every student’s subject or programme choice.

In cases where restrictions apply, schools should have clear procedures regarding admission to the programme which indicate how places are allocated to students if there is over or under subscription for a particular subject or programme.

As part of the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme, I am committed to expanding access to Transition Year and to supporting schools in giving every student the option of participating in Transition Year in the future. My officials are currently working to identify barriers to participation and understand their causes. This work will inform my approach to making Transition Year accessible to all.