Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
637. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education and Youth when she intends to publish the review of the Junior Certificate School Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) is a national programme sponsored by the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. Introduced in 1996, it is a social inclusion programme that is aimed at students who are identified as being at risk of being socially or academically isolated or at risk of early school leaving before the (then) Junior Certificate has been achieved.
Since its introduction, JCSP has expanded from 32 schools in 1996 to 240 schools in 2010. The programme expanded on a phased basis and now includes schools participating in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS), Special Schools, Children Detention Schools, and Youth Encounter Projects (YEP).
Of the current 220 schools within JCSP, 172 are designated DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) and 48 are non-DEIS schools. There are 8 Gaelscoileanna, 2 High Support Units, 17 Special Schools and 4 YEP.
As part of the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle (2015), it was agreed to carry out a review of the JCSP and consider the extent to which the needs of students undertaking the JCSP are met through the Junior Cycle. This review is currently ongoing, with the programme closed to new applicants but current provision continuing for the present.
