asked the Minister for Education the participation rate for secondary level education in County Donegal; and if he will relate this to the national average.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Donegal Post-Primary Education.
110.
The number of pupils attending post-primary schools in County Donegal has increased from 3,643 in 1965-66 to 5,858 in 1969-70, an increase of approximately 61 per cent as compared to the national average increase of approximately 39 per cent during the same period.
The percentage of pupils who left national schools in County Donegal and went to post-primary schools in 1968-69 was 80 per cent as compared with the national average of 88 per cent. From these figures it will be seen that the introduction of the scheme of free post-primary education is speedily rectifying the position which previously obtained in the case of County Donegal.
Is the Minister aware that prior to the publication of Investment in Education the average in Donegal was far below the national average and therefore there was plenty of room for improvement?
There has been exceptional improvement in this case.