asked the Minister for Education if he will give the latest available estimate of the numbers of pupils in primary schools who attained the age of 14 years and who had not completed (a) standard V, (b) standard VI, or (c) passed the primary certificate examination.

According to the returns furnished to the Department from the national schools the position on the 30th June, 1955, was as follows in relation to pupils who had attained the age of 14 years:—(a) 2,521 had not completed standard V; (b) 4,969 had not completed standard VI.

A pupil who has not completed standard VI is not eligible to sit for the primary certificate examination. I regret that my available information does not enable me to state the number of pupils over 14 years of age who have completed standard VI but have not obtained the primary certificate.

Could the Minister state the total number who presented themselves for or who passed the primary certificate, or shall I put down another question?

The Deputy does not seem to have asked that question. The answer can be readily obtained. I can give it to the Deputy this afternoon if he wishes.