| Study Title |
A41 Post-Primary Pupil Database |
| Data Owner |
Department of Education and Skills (www.education.ie) |
| Description |
The Post-Primary Pupil Database is currently the only national archiveof student enrolment at post-primary schools. Individual and personaldata on each student enrolled in each recognised post-primaryschool are collected by the Department of Education and Skills. |
| Primary Function |
Data used to inform annual allocation of teaching posts and funding by the Department of Education and Skills. Data also used to track pupil retention.Teaching posts and funding are allocated each year by the Department based on the numbers of recognised students enrolled in each post-primary school on 30th September in the previous year. Each post-primary school is obliged to provide individualised data on each student to the Department (referred to as the October Returns). |
| Key Variables |
PPSN; ID Other; Sex; DOB; County; Geog Sub County; Geog Other; Nationality |
| Themes |
Education; Demographics |
| Unit Of Observation |
Individual post-primary student |
| Start Date |
1991. Since 1991, the Department of Education and Skills has retained all individual data on students collected via the October Returns. |
| Frequency |
Annually, on 30th September each year. |
| Target Population |
Individual post-primary student |
| Format |
Individualised data are returned to the Department of Education and Skills using students’ PPSNs as a unique identifier. The Department aggregates individual data in order to meet statistical, policy and research functions. |
| Method |
Data are transferred to the Department of Education and Skills electronically via the ESINET network system and stored in the Post-Primary Pupil Database. |
| Most Recent Publication |
September 2011. See:
- Key Statistics 2010/2011. Available at: www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=17216&ecategory=17241&language=EN
May 2011. See:
- Retention Rates of Pupils in Second Level Schools 1991-2004 Entry Cohorts. Available at: www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=17216&ecategory=46598&language=EN |
| Access Further Information |
Department of Education and Skills (www.education.ie) |