Jen Cummins
Ceist:254. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for a specific TY curriculum. [62318/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 13 November 2025
Ceisteanna (254)
Freagraí scríofa
Transition Year is a valuable programme for students and under the redevelopment of Senior Cycle programme, it is my ambition that in the future every student who wishes to avail of Transition Year will have the opportunity to do so.?
As part of the redevelopment of Senior Cycle, a new Programme Statement for Transition Year was published in 2024. The Programme Statement guides schools in developing innovative programmes that facilitate students to explore diverse future pathways, gain first-hand workplace experience, and develop career-related competencies.
Each school designs it's own Transition Year programme, within the parameters of the Programme Statement, to suit the needs and interests of its students. In establishing its own distinctive programme content, schools are advised to take into consideration students’ needs, parents’ views, employers and the wider interests of the local community. The level of autonomy is valued by schools and was reflected in the feedback received during the consultation conducted by the NCCA as the Programme Statement was being developed.
Schools can also offer students specific micro modules during Transition Year. A TY micro-module is typically designed to provide a concentrated learning experience, within the parameters of the TY Programme Statement, to enhance the educational experience of students. They can be designed and delivered as standalone components or designed to be integrated with other TY components.
TY micro-modules can be developed for a duration of up to 10, 20, or 30 hours, whilst having the flexibility for schools to decide on the most suitable balance of class contact time and self-directed, independent learning. Schools can offer micro modules that are designed by the NCCA or external providers. You can find out more about these modules [here (www.curriculumonline.ie/senior-cycle/transition-year/supports-for-the-ty-programme-statement/externally-developed-micro-modules/ncca-developed-micro-modules/)].
In January 2025, the NCCA, in collaboration with ETBI and SOLAS published the initial vocational education and training (iVET) module. This is a flexible module that gives students the opportunity to engage in interactive programmes and off-site learning through collaboration with industry and Further Education and Training (FET) providers during their Transition Year. The specification is available [here (www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/89b13ed2-6efa-4c88-a543-c3469d2767dd/iVET-Module.pdf)].
In the 2024/25 school 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 Programme for Government commits to promoting the expansion of the Transition Year programme and addressing the barriers faced by some students in accessing it.
Under the redevelopment of Senior Cycle, I am committed 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. The measures necessary are not likely to be uniform in nature nor are they likely to be all amenable to implementation in the short term particularly where capital investment may be required. However, my Department is determined to work with schools incrementally to realise universal access.