Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 4

Written Answers. - Education Statistics.

Michael Ferris

Question:

385 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Education and Science the percentage of students entering second level education from the non-manual, manual skilled and semi-skilled social classes; the number of these groups who complete second level education; the number who go on to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4312/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

It is estimated that 900 primary pupils, that is, 1.4 per cent of the total, do not transfer to second level schools. Details of students entering and students completing second level education are not available by socio-economic status. In relation to students entering third level education, the research undertaken by Professor Patrick Clancy does investigate socio-economic background. The following table, which is extracted from Professor Clancy's 1995 report "Access to College: Patterns of Continuity and Change", estimates the proportion of the age cohort in each social group entering full-time higher education in 1992.

Socio-Economic Group	Percentage of group entering full-time higher education in 1992
	%
Farmers	49
Other Agricultural Occupations	22
Higher Professional	89
Lower Professional	53
Employers and Managers	67
Salaried Employees	53
Intermediate Non-Manual Workers	33
Other Non-Manual Workers	26
Skilled Manual Workers	26
Semi-Skilled Manual Workers	16
Unskilled Manual Workers	13
Total	36

I am committed to the promotion of access to third level education, which must deal with tackling disincentives of tradition and support. In particular, colleges must outreach and additional support should be available where it is needed. Between direct funding from my Department and funding through the Higher Education Authority almost £900,000 is spent on this area in the current academic year, and I have recently announced details of a £6.9 million two year funding initiative to tackle educational disadvantages in the third level sector. Of this funding £3 million is being specifically allocated to promote access to third level among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including people with disabilities. A further £1.5 million is being provided to address the issue of non-completion of courses in institutes of technology. Details of the allocation of these additional resources will be announced in due course when I have fully considered how best to proceed in these areas.