Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 3

Written Answers. - Early School Leavers.

Richard Bruton

Question:

375 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the most recent estimate of the number who leave school without entering second level; and the estimate in each of the years 1980, 1984 and 1991 or the nearest years to these. [6137/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

This data is gathered each year by my Department through the census of primary schools and published in the Department of Education and Science annual statistical report. An element of the census requires schools authorities to account for the pupils who have left the school since the previous census by destination, e.g., to another primary or secondary school etc.

The table below sets out the information which the Deputy requested.

	1979-80	1983-84	1990-91	1995-96
Did not go to any school within the State	775	542	396	296

It should be noted that the census data for 1979-80 and 1983-84 recorded only those pupils who left the school from fifth or sixth class whereas the later data refers to pupils who left from all standards. Also, the data for 1990-91 and 1995-96 specifically excludes those pupils who left school and emigrated whereas the earlier data does not.