Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 1276: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of sixth class primary school pupils in the Limerick city catchment area; the number of first year post-primary places available in the 2005-2006 year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25742/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Information on primary school pupils is collected by reference to school roll numbers and is not readily available in the format requested by the Deputy for the Limerick city area. The number of first year post-primary places offered is determined by the individual school authorities and information on the intake by school for 2005-06 will not be available to my Department until statistical returns are made by the schools later in the academic year. While the capacity of any individual school has a bearing on the number of first year places which can be offered by a school, other factors such as pupil preference, location and traditional patterns of transfer may impact on the number of places offered by individual schools.

I confirm that 1,544 students took up first year places in the post-primary schools in Limerick city in September 2004 and in September 2005 offers have been made to 1,545 pupils under the central applications system operated by the schools. Of all students who applied for places through the central applications facility, 95% were offered a place in a school that was one of their top three preferences. The schools' statistical returns will provide information on the breakdown of intake by school.