Vol. 487 No. 2
80 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the response, if any, of his Department to the issue of differing levels of numeracy and literacy skills amongst boys and girls at primary school level; if he has commissioned a specific report on this subject; and the proposals, if any, he intends to introduce to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3555/98]
The performance of Irish 9 year olds in mathematics and literacy was examined in a number of international studies since 1990 and in each case gender differences were considered. In the Second International Assessment of Educational Progress in Mathermatics and Science (1991), and again in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (1995), the average score in mathematics of Irish 9 year old girls was higher than that of boys of the same age. However, differences found were not statistically significant.
