This section provides the most recent available data on the number of educational institutions from pre-primary to post-secondary non-tertiary education level (ISCED levels 0-4). Statistics on numbers and characteristics of higher education institutions can be found in the European Tertiary Education Register. A general overview of the categories of institutions providing publicly-subsidised adult education and training can be found in the chapter on adult education. The notes below the tables provide methodological explanations necessary for a good interpretation of data.
| Type of educational institution in English (and in national language) | ISCED levels provided | Main orientation of the programmes provided | Number of educational institutions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Public | Government-dependent private | Private independent | |||
| Early Childhood Education and Care providers | 0 | (-) | 4196 | |||
| Primary Schools | 1 | (-) | 3106 | |||
| Secondary Schools | 2,3,4 | G | 384 | |||
| Vocational Schools | 2,3,4 | V | 248 | |||
| Community and Comprehensive Schools | 2,3,4 | G | 96 | |||
|
Source: Department of Education :Key Statistics 2021-2022 & 2022 - 2023 |
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| G= General | V= Vocational | |||||
| (:) Data not available | (-) Not applicable | |||||
| Terminology The 2018 version of the UNESCO/OECD/Eurostat Manual on concepts, definitions and classification can be consulted for the definitions of regular education (p.10); general and vocational programmes of education (p.19); as well as public institution, government-dependent private institution and private independent institution (pp. 24-26) |
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Notes
In Ireland, all post-primary schools provide ISCED levels 2 and 3, with some providing level 4.
The Department of Education only recognises schools that deliver the Irish curriculum and whose teachers are registered with the Teaching Council. The Irish Government does not fund any private schools in Ireland, nor does it collect any data on same.
Please note that the legal entity approach was used in collecting the above data.
| Type of educational institution in English and (in national language) | ISCED levels provided | Main orientation of the programmes provided | Number of educational institutions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Public | Government-dependent institutions | Private independent | |||
| Special Schools | 1,2 | G | 134 | 134 | (:) | (:) |
|
Source: Department of Education and :Key Statistics 2021-2022 & 2022 - 2023 |
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| G= General | V= Vocational | |||||
| (:) Data not available | (-) Not applicable | |||||
| Terminology The 2018 version of the Unesco/OECD/Eurostat Manual on concepts, definitions and classification can be consulted for the definitions of regular education (p.10); general and vocational programmes of education (p.19); as well as public institution, government-dependent private institution and private independent institution (pp. 24-26). |
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Notes
The Department of Education provides for the education of children with special education needs through a number of support mechanisms based on the Continuum of Support. The department's policy is to ensure the maximum possible integration of children with special needs into ordinary mainstream schools. To enable this, supports such as special education teaching hours, special needs assistants (SNAs) and assistive technologies are provided. Where students are assessed as requiring more substantive supports, special classes within mainstream schools are provided. These classes have a lower teacher/student ratio and SNA supports are provided as standard. These classes are designated based on the needs of the student. In addition, dedicated special schools are provided for children with the most complex of needs.
The Department of Education only recognises schools that deliver the Irish curriculum and whose teachers are registered with the Teaching Council. The Irish Government does not fund any private schools in Ireland, nor does it collect any data on same.
Please note that the legal entity approach was used in collecting the above data.