asked the Minister for Education if he will state (1) the total number of children in the Republic who leave national schools each year; (2) the total number of scholarships, other than those under Gaeltacht schemes, available to (a) universities and (b) secondary schools; (3) the percentage of children who obtain no further education beyond the primary school level; and (4) (a) the total number of national schools and (b) the number in which either rural science or nature study is taught.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National School Pupils
(1) Total number of children who left national schools at various ages up to 18 in the year ended 30th June, 1956, was 47,053; (2) total number of scholarships other than those under Gaeltacht schemes available in 1956 from State or local authority funds to (a) universities was 142 and to (b) secondary schools was 551. In addition the universities and secondary schools award a number of entrance scholarships but I have no information as to the exact number of such scholarships; (3) I am not in a position to furnish the information which the Deputy requires in regard to the percentage of children who obtain no further education beyond the primary school level but an estimate prepared in relation to the 1954-55 school year showed that of children in 14-15 age group 60.9 per cent. were in wholetime attendance at recognised schools; the corresponding figure for the 15-16 age group was 47.5 per cent.; (4) (a) the total number of national schools on 30th June, 1956, was 4,871; (b) the number in which either rural science or nature study was taught was 173.
Am I correct in saying that the Minister's reply to point (3) in that question was that he was not in a position to state the percentage of children who obtain no further education beyond the primary school level?
I said I was not in a position to state it, but that an estimate was made of the percentage in the 14-15 and 15-16 age groups who were receiving full-time instruction in the 1954-55 school year and the figures were 60.9 and 47.5 respectively.
Is it not a fact that the school leaving age is 14? As far as primary education is concerned, the Minister's figures should be based on those under 14 years of age who leave the national school and are getting no other education—vocational, secondary of otherwise. Is it possible to get the figure for the entire number of children who left in 1956 at the age of 14 and show how many went to no other school afterwards?
If the Deputy puts down his question, I may be able to get the information for him.