asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to a 1984 labour force survey in Britain, which showed that 40 per cent of the workforce at all levels had no recognised qualifications at all; if any similar data exists in regard to the Irish workforce; and, if not, the reason.
Written Answers. - Labour Force Survey.
64.
The Irish Labour Force Survey has been undertaken in April/May on an annual basis since 1983, as part of a simultaneous harmonised exercise in EC member states, partly financed from Community funds.
While the main core of questions is agreed by a working group of experts from all member states, some countries tend to include additional questions from time to time. It would appear that the information referred to by the Deputy was collected in this way.
An additional question on "the highest level of education completed" was included in the Irish survey in 1988. The results are as follows:
|
Highest Level of Education Completed |
Labour Force |
|
|
(000) |
% |
|
|
Primary |
389.2 |
29.7 |
|
Intermediate/Group Cert/“O” levels |
328.1 |
25.0 |
|
Leaving Cert/“A” Levels |
371.2 |
28.3 |
|
Third Level, Non-University |
110.5 |
8.4 |
|
Third Level, University |
94.8 |
7.2 |
|
Higher University Degree |
15.9 |
1.2 |
|
Total |
1,309.7 |
100.0 |