The Department of Education and Skills today published preliminary enrolments in Primary and Post-primary schools in September 2017. Final data will be published in June 2018.
Main findings:
-Total enrolments in mainstream primary schools stood at 555,241 at September 2017. This is an increase of 5,041 pupils, or 0.9 per cent, on September 2016 (550,200). Since September 2011, there has been an increase of 46,203 or approx. 9%.
- When examined by ethos, almost half of this year’s increase was in enrolments in multi-denominational schools which increased by 9.0% at primary level with an additional 2,448 pupils. This compares with denominational primary schools which increased by 0.5 per cent, or 2,593 pupils
- At post primary level, total enrolments stood at 357,442 (enrolments in PLC courses are not included in today’s release). This is an increase of nearly 5,200 compared to September 2016 enrolments. Since September 2011, there has been an increase of 34,939 or approx. 11%.
- Again, almost half of the increase in post primary schools since September 2016, is in enrolments in multi-denominational schools, which increased by 20.3% (2,486 pupils) over the twelve months, far ahead of the rise in denominational schools which saw their numbers rise by just 2,699 (0.8%) in post primary schools.
- Schools where all subjects are taught through Irish grew, by 600, which is more than twice the rate (3.2%) of the general increase for all schools (1.5%).
Commenting on the data, Minister Bruton said:
“We are very lucky in Ireland to have a growing school age population. This enrolment data shows a very significant increase in student numbers. We hired 2,800 extra teachers in the 2017/18 school year and last year we built nearly 20,000 extra and replacement school places to respond to this demand. We will continue to ensure that there are enough school places for our children and that state of the art facilities are being provided.
“This data also shows that demand for more multi-denominational school places is growing. This Government is strongly committed to providing more choice and diversity. We are committed to delivering 400 multi-denominational schools by 2030. I announced a new process to accelerate this provision last year and we will continue to work towards increasing choice and diversity for parents and children”.
Links to the reports are available here:
Statistical Bulletin:
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/statistical-bulletin-enrolments-september-2017-preliminary-results.pdf
PROVISIONAL DATA for the 2017/2018 academic year – Primary Schools:
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/primary-school-lists-2017-2018-provisional.xlsx
PROVISIONAL DATA for the 2017/2018 academic year – Post Primary Schools
https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Statistics/Data-on-Individual-Schools/post-primary-school-lists-2017-2018-provisional.xlsx