This year will see a marked rise in the number of children enrolling for primary schools in Ireland, new figures have predicted. 

According to the report Projections of Full-Time Enrolment Primary and Second Level, 2013-2031 from the Department of Education and Skills, there are likely to be 71,000 infants starting school this coming term, the Irish Times reports.

Full statistics are set to be released next month, but these early projections indicate there will be a sharp rise in the number of students accessing primary and secondary education until 2019 at least.

Indeed, the 71,000 figure is 15,000 more than ten years ago, while there is also likely to be around 60,000 new students heading into post-primary education this year.

There are concerns, however, that such an escalation will put added pressures on the Department of Education and Skills and the budgets it is currently working towards, especially at a time when it is believed that the department is looking to make significant cuts.  

Written by Donal Walsh

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