Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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799. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the age criteria for compulsory attendance at primary schools and the way in which this can impact on attendance levels. [11754/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The compulsory school starting age in a National School is 6 years of age and the Rules for National Schools provide that a child must be at least 4 years of age before she/he may be enrolled in a National School.

Although children are not obliged to attend school until the age of six, most children begin school in the September following their fourth birthday. The primary school curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year. Pupils normally transfer to post-primary education at the age of twelve.