The statistical information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. The most recent figures on attrition rates for university education can be found in the report A Study of Non-completion in Undergraduate University Courses, which was undertaken by the Educational Research Centre, ERC, at the request of my Department. The report found an overall non-completion rate of 16.8% for all first-time entrants to university undergraduate courses. The study also highlighted the differences in numbers of students completing courses by field of study. Computer studies was identified as the field of study with the highest non-completion rate – 26.9% – followed by Science – 22.2% – and engineering-architecture – 19.6%. The lowest rate of non-completion was in law – 7.1%.