Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1993

Vol. 436 No. 4

Written Answers. - Enrolment of Infant Pupils.

Jim Higgins

Question:

236 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of pupils aged four years and the number of pupils aged five years who were on the rolls of primary schools on 30 September in each of the years 1992 and 1993; and the amount of capitation and other grants, such as free book grants, provided in respect of same.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

On 30 September 1992 there were 29,783 pupils aged four years and 56,351 pupils aged five years enrolled in ordinary classes in primary schools. These are provisional figures. The information regarding the enrolments on 30 September 1993 are not yet available as all primary schools have not yet submitted the returns to my Department.

The total free books grant paid in respect of pupils in junior and senior infants' standards in primary schools in the 1992-93 school year was £239,272. The grant is not paid in respect of age and information on that basis is not, therefore, available.

The total amount of the capitation grant paid to all primary schools for the 1992-93 school year was £18,328,911. The grant is paid in respect of the running costs of schools as a whole on the basis of total enrolment but is not apportioned on the basis of age groups.