asked the Minister for Education whether he can state how many children under six years of age are on the rolls of schools controlled by the Department of Primary Education; and what is the approximate annual State cost of the education of such children.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - COST OF PRIMARY EDUCATION.
The approximate number of children under six years of age on the rolls of National Schools is 56,000. The total number of children of all ages on the rolls on the 30th June, 1927, was 523,640. If of the total cost of primary education to the State the proportionate cost for the children referred to in the question could be calculated from the figures given, the amount would be about £390,000. But I fear that such a calculation would be misleading. I have no material at my disposal which would enable me to form anything like an accurate estimate of the actual cost—it would be less than the figure mentioned.
In answering the first portion of the Deputy's question I have simply given an approximation. I hope he will be satisfied with that. I could give the exact figures but it would take a staff of two about five days to make them out. I trust that the Deputy will be satisfied with that explanation.
Yes, I merely wanted an approximate figure.