asked the Minister for Education the number of children under five years of age currently attending national schools; whether she has made any special provision for very young children in terms of special equipment, grants and facilities; whether an especially favourable pupil/teacher ratio should exist in the junior cycle of national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Schools' Junior Cycle.
39.
Figures on the number of children under five years of age currently attending national schools are not yet available. Provisional figures for the 1987-88 school-year were 43,370.
As far as the application of the Rules for National Schools is concerned, no distinction on age grounds is made between pupils in the matter of staffing or grants, with the exception of school furniture and facilities appropriate to junior pupils.