asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school pupils who repeated sixth class during the school years (1) 1984-1985) (2) 1985-1986 (3) 1986-1987 and (4) 1987-1988.

The information in the form requested by the Deputy is not available.

The number of pupils classified otherwise than as infants through to sixth standard is as follows: 1984-1985, 1,629; 1985-1986, 1,468; 1986-1987, 1,283; 1987-1988, not yet available. These pupils would, for the most part, be pupils who have completed sixth standard.

Figures are not, however, available in the case of those among sixth standard pupils who have already completed a year in sixth standard.