New figures show more students are staying at school, and there iÂ’s also a rise in the numbers applying to go to college.

90% of teenagers are now finishing their Leaving Cert, according to the Department of Education - that's among the highest levels in the EU.

It represents an increase of 8%, up from 82% ten years ago.

Meanwhile, CAO applications have hit a record high this year– with 73,063 applying before the weekend deadline, a rise of 2,000 on last year.

The Irish IndependentÂ’'s Education Editor, Katherine Donnelly, says the increases are down to more students overall, and fewer jobs enticing them to leave school early:

General Secretary of the Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland Pat King says the figures finishing school are encouraging.

"This is a dramatic improvement on what Ireland experienced 20/25 years ago, so to see that 90% of students are remaining on shows that they value the education they are getting and they see remaining in school and getting a broad, comprehensive education as something they value."

However, there is concern that the increased demand for CAO applications will lead to points rises later in the year, because of greater competition for college places.