Duration of compulsory education Essay Example
Duration of compulsory education Essay Example

Duration of compulsory education Essay Example

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Education

The period of compulsory education lasts from six to fifteen years old. Although it is not obligatory to start school at the age of six, 51 percent of four-year-olds and almost all five-year-olds are registered in infant classes in primary schools.

The Department of Education and Science is responsible for overseeing the entire educational system, which includes primary schools. This sector comprises primary schools, special schools, and non-aided primary schools, serving around 500,000 children. With a total of over 3,200 primary schools in this sector, it provides education to 98 percent of children.

Funding for schools comes from both the State and local contributions, including specific arrangements for disadvantaged areas and children with special needs. There are a total of 116 special schools and 64 private primary schools. Primary education focuses o

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n a child-centered approach where the curriculum is tailored to the child's needs and interests. The second-level sector includes secondary, vocational, community, and comprehensive schools. In this sector, there are approximately 370,000 students attending 768 publicly-aided schools.

Of the total number, there are 445 secondary schools, making up 60% of post-primary students. These schools are privately owned and managed, with most being managed by religious orders and the remainder by boards of Governors or individuals. The State covers more than 95% of the expenses for teacher salaries. Secondary schools that are part of the free education scheme, which accounts for 95% of the total, receive allowances and grants from the State.

Vocational Education Committees oversee vocational schools and educate around 26% of post-primary students. The State funds up to 93% of their expenses, while the committees generate the remainin

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amount. On the other hand, community and comprehensive schools receive separate budgets directly from the State.

Post-primary education in Ireland consists of a three-year junior cycle and a two- or three-year senior cycle. Once students complete three years, they sit for the Junior Certificate examination. The senior cycle provides an optional Transition Year Programme and three two-year Leaving Certificate programs. Besides third-level institutions, the education sector also offers diverse vocational education and training courses for secondary school graduates. These courses are tailored to different industries, such as the expanding international teleservice industry in Ireland.

Apprenticeship training is offered in different fields including engineering, construction, printing, and furniture making. The Department of Education and Science is working on creative methods for adult and continuing education. The third level education sector includes universities, technological colleges, and colleges of education. These institutions receive government funding and have their own autonomy. In recent times, several private colleges specializing in business-related courses have emerged. The total student population in this sector exceeds 100,000.

Almost half of Ireland's young people progress from second to third level, with 50 percent of them pursuing degree-level programs.

In terms of religion, the majority in Ireland (Republic) are Roman Catholics. According to the 1991 census, 91.6% identified as Roman Catholics, 2.5% as Church of Ireland (Anglican), 0.4% as Presbyterians, 0.1% as Methodists, and less than 0.1% as Jewish. About 3% belonged to other religious groups or had no specific religious beliefs.

2.4% of the population chose not to disclose their religion, but the Irish Constitution guarantees every citizen's right to freedom of conscience and the free practice of their religion.

When in Ireland, it is strongly advised not to skip breakfast

as it is typically included in your hotel room expense and provides a delightful culinary opportunity that you shouldn't overlook.

The traditional Irish breakfast includes eggs, bacon, Irish sausages, black pudding, white pudding, and fried tomatoes. Sometimes mushrooms and smoked salmon are included. A delightful cup of tea is a necessary part of starting the day. However, lunch remains an area where the Irish could make advancements.

When ordering a sandwich, it is possible to receive two slices of bread with ham and butter. To enjoy a delicious meal in Ireland, it is suggested to visit a pub and request cream soup accompanied by a tasty scone. Dinner in Ireland is also delightful, offering abundant options such as fresh fish, beef, pork, and more. Starting the meal with soup remains highly recommended.

When in Ireland, it is essential to try Guinness as it is a delightful must-try. The taste of Guinness in Ireland surpasses the one in the U.S., being much better and creamier. If you find Guinness too bitter, Murphy's stout is also widely available throughout southern Ireland. For visits up to three months, a passport is necessary but no visa is required for tourists or business travelers. Furthermore, Ireland provides medical facilities for any healthcare needs.

Medical insurance may not always be valid outside the United States. Some travelers have discovered the benefits of having supplemental medical insurance that includes specific overseas coverage, such as medical air evacuation. Regarding crime, Ireland has a low rate of violent crime but a relatively high occurrence of petty crime, specifically theft, burglary, and purse snatching.

Thieves specifically target rental cars and tourists, particularly near popular tourist attractions. There is a risk

of losing or having personal items stolen while abroad. In terms of terrorist activities, a peace agreement was approved by voters in Ireland and Northern Ireland on May 22, 1998. Although major paramilitary organizations adhere to cease-fires, there is still a possibility of violence from smaller splinter groups who oppose the peace agreement in Northern Ireland. This violence may potentially have some impact in Ireland. It is important to note that there are strict drug penalties enforced by the U.S.

When traveling abroad, it is crucial for citizens to obey the laws of the host country. This includes refraining from possessing, using, or distributing illegal drugs, as these actions can lead to severe penalties such as imprisonment and fines.

In Ireland, it is important to note that driving takes place on the left side of the road. Therefore, individuals who are unfamiliar with this should exercise extra caution. It is worth mentioning that each year there are several significant accidents caused by tourists driving on the wrong side of the road.

The Irish Sea serves as the boundary between Ireland and Britain, spanning from 17.6 to 192 km (11 to 120 miles) wide and reaching a maximum depth of about 200 metres (650 feet). Apart from the coastal areas, the Continental Shelf has narrow shallow waters that swiftly transition into deeper regions of the Atlantic Ocean. The island itself is primarily made up of a large lowland area composed of limestone, encircled by coastal mountains with various geological structures. The southern mountain ranges are formed from old red sandstone, separated by valleys filled with limestone. In the western and northwestern regions, which include Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Counties Down,

and Wicklow on the East Coast, granite predominates in rocky landscapes. Moreover, there exists an extensive basalt plateau in much of the northeast region. The central plain mainly consists of glacial clay and sand deposits interspersed with occasional low hills.

The island features vast bogs and numerous lakes, displaying signs of two major glaciations such as ice-smoothed rock, mountain lakes, glacial valleys, and deposits of glacial sand, gravel, and clay. The climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream and prevailing winds from the southwest resulting in a moderate climate with consistent temperatures throughout the country. The coldest months are January and February with average daily air temperatures ranging from 4C to 7C. July and August bring the warmest weather. May and June typically offer the most sunshine with an average of 5 to 7 hours per day. Annual rainfall varies between 800mm to 1200mm (31" to 47") in low-lying areas but can be less than 750mm (30") in some eastern regions while certain parts of the west receive up to 1500mm.

In mountainous regions, the annual rainfall could surpass 2000mm (79"). In 1912, the Home Rule bill was presented in Westminster, resulting in notable achievements for the Irish Parliamentary Party under the leadership of John Redmond. Nevertheless, there was significant opposition to this measure in northeast Ulster, led by Sir Edward Carson who established the Ulster Volunteers to resist Home Rule.

The formation of the Irish Volunteers in Dublin was a response to the control of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. The Home Rule bill, which was scheduled for passage in 1914, faced delays due to the outbreak of war. John Redmond advocated for Irishmen to join the British

Army as a means to maintain support for Home Rule, although some were against this approach. In 1916, Patrick Pearse led the Irish Volunteers and James Connolly led the Irish Citizen Army in a rebellion against British rule. Although the Easter Rising of 1916 was suppressed, public sentiment turned against the British after several leaders were executed.

The Sinn Fein party emerged triumphant in the 1918 general election, defeating the Irish Parliamentary Party and establishing themselves as Dublin's first independent Parliament, called the Dail. Eamon de Valera was at the helm of this Dail. The British's attempts to suppress Sinn Fein led to the War of Independence from 1919 to 1921, with Michael Collins leading Irish forces.

Following more than two years of guerilla warfare, a ceasefire was achieved and the Irish Free State was established in December 1921 with the signing of an Anglo-Irish Treaty. This treaty granted independence to 26 counties. However, six Ulster counties had already achieved self-governance in Belfast in 1920 and chose to remain part of the United Kingdom. As a result, a civil war erupted between the newly formed Government and Eamon de Valera's anti-Treaty faction.

During the Civil War in May 1923, a truce was negotiated resulting in the loss of many lives, including notable figures like Michael Collins and Cathal Brugha. Despite its short duration, this conflict had a lasting impact on opinions and political loyalties. The first government of the newly formed State was led by WT Cosgrave from Cumann na nGaedheal, later known as Fine Gael. Fianna Fail, established by amon de Valera, held significant power in Irish politics from the 1930s to the 1970s. By gradually weakening

ties with Britain, Ireland introduced a new constitution in 1937 and remained neutral during World War II. In 1948, the Republic of Ireland Act completely severed any remaining constitutional links with Britain.

Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and, similar to other European countries, has had coalition governments for the past twenty years. These coalitions typically involve one major political party collaborating with either the Labour Party, Democratic Left, or the Progressive Democrats. Since joining the European Union in 1973, Ireland's society has experienced significant influences in politics, economy, social life, and culture.

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Ireland's economy has achieved remarkable success and is regarded as one of the top-performing economies among developed nations.

From 1993 to 1997, Ireland had a remarkable economic expansion of around 40%, making it the country with the highest growth rate in the OECD area for three consecutive years. In 1997 alone, Ireland achieved an impressive growth rate of 9.5%. The projected annual growth rate for the period between 1998 and 2000 is estimated to be around 6% to 7%. Comparatively, in 1987, Irish living standards were only at approximately 65% of the EU average based on per capita private consumption. However, by 1997, there was a significant increase in Irish living standards reaching up to approximately 90% of the EU average.

The remarkable growth in Ireland can be attributed to various factors, such as effective management of finances and monetary policies, consensus on pay policy leading to wage control, foreign direct investment, support from EU Structural Funds, a skilled workforce, a thriving high-tech industry, and strong domestic demand. This economic expansion has resulted in a significant increase

in job opportunities. Between 1993 and 1997, Ireland experienced an average annual employment growth rate of 3.8%, surpassing other developed countries in job creation during 1997. Despite this rapid growth, inflation has remained relatively low with the consumer price index increasing by less than 2% annually between 1993 and 1997.

In 1997, Ireland had a surplus of 0.9% of GDP in its public finances, while tax receipts experienced substantial growth, fueling positive financial progress. Moreover, the general government debt to GDP ratio showed improvement by decreasing from 95% to approximately 66% within the same year.

The primary economic issue in Ireland is unemployment, but there has been significant improvement recently. Between 1993 and 1997, the unemployment rate decreased from 15.7% to 10.2%, which is slightly below the EU average. The major political parties generally have consensus on economic and social policies. Tripartite programs involving the Government, trade unions, and employers have effectively driven progress in both the economy and society. In relation to the Irish economy, it is predicted that real GDP will increase by up to 8% in 1999, with potential additional growth throughout the year.

There are four reasons for the upward revision. First, the Exchequer returns for Q199 showed a cumulative surplus of 287 million, compared to 82 million in 1998. Tax revenues grew by 13.3% year-on-year in Q199. Additionally, Exchequer-funded capital spending increased by 27% annually. Second, retail sales data for January and car sales figures for Q199 indicate that personal spending will continue to grow significantly in 1999.

Furthermore, the property market remains unaffected and continues to show no signs of cooling down. Additionally, the European Central Bank (ECB) has recently implemented a cut

in official interest rates to 2.5% on 8 April, with expectations of a positive impact. The relevant information pertaining to their forecasts is conveniently summarized in the table located on the opposite side. As of March, headline inflation displayed an annual rate of 1.4%. Moreover, there was a price increase of 0.3% between February and March. When excluding the influence of mortgage interest rate fluctuations, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) experienced a year-on-year rise of 2.4% in March.

The harmonized rate in Ireland for the EU is 2.0%, while the average annual rate for the eurozone as a whole is 0.8%. The Irish rate is not expected to decrease and align with the euro average in the short to medium term, especially considering the growing divergence in economic performance between Ireland and the eurozone average. Additionally, the depreciation of the Irish pound poses a risk of increasing inflation in the coming months, especially since the euro is expected to weaken further. Official data reveals that the Irish balance of payments surplus decreased to 1,047m (1.5% of GDP) in 1998, which is its lowest level since 1994. Consequently, the estimated GDP growth for 1998 has been revised down from 10% to 8.7%.

The figures for quarters Q1-Q398 were significantly revised in the data for Q498. In 1998, Ireland experienced a trade surplus of 15,396, which was a 39% increase. There was an additional 1,038m in current transfers, mainly from the EU (down from 1,290m in 1997). However, there was a debit of 7,711m in the services balance and factor income outflows, largely profit repatriations, amounted to 7,676m.

The negative service balance indicates the increasing debit items associated with the

operation of multinational companies in Ireland. The corresponding factors to these outflows are the 18% growth in manufacturing output in 1998 and the 20.3% increase in the value of exports. Our predictions for 1999 anticipate a significant slowdown in export growth compared to 1998.

This will have a counteracting effect on the adverse consequences of import services. The increased projection for growth in 1999, mentioned earlier, is a result of a stronger domestic demand.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Ireland has been occupied since ancient times. For over five thousand years, individuals migrating from the east to the west of Europe have established themselves in the country, and each successive wave of immigrants, including Celts, Vikings, Normans, and English, has added to its current population.

In 1841, the population of the present Irish State was over 6.5 million. However, by the next census in 1851, the population had dramatically declined to 5.1 million due to starvation, disease, and emigration. This trend continued over the years, with large numbers of people leaving the area. By 1961, the population had reached its lowest point at 2.8 million, according to the census records. From 1961 onwards, there was a shift in this population pattern.

During the period from 1981 to 1986, the population of the State experienced an average annual increase of 0.6% due to a combination of natural growth and an influx of people as a result of improved prosperity. However, between 1986 and 1991, emigration resumed and led to an average annual decrease in the population of 0.1%. As of the 1991 census, the total population of the State was 3,525,719. By 1994, the population was estimated

to be around 3.

571 million individuals reside in Ireland. The primary population hubs consist of Dublin (home to 915,000 people), Cork (home to 174,000 individuals), Limerick (home to 75,000 residents), Galway (home to 51,000 inhabitants), Waterford (home to 42,000 people), and Dundalk (home to 30,000 residents). 59% of the populace occupies cities and towns with a minimum population of 1,000. The overall population density is 51 persons per square kilometer, exhibiting significant contrasts between the more densely populated east and south regions and the sparser, less populous western areas of the nation. Furthermore, a noteworthy percentage of the population is concentrated within the younger age cohorts.

Approximately 43% of the population is under 25 and about 27% is under 15. In 1993, the birth rate dropped below the minimum population replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman during child-rearing age for the first time on record, reaching 1.93 births per woman. There were a total of 49,456 births in 1993 and if current trends continue, the annual number of births could fall below 40,000 by 2007. This is in comparison to the peak of 74,064 births recorded in 1980.

FX RATES

The relationship between the DMark and the country's currency has seen a gradual decline, with unilateral devaluations of 8% in 1986 and 10% in 1993. From 1987 to 1992, there was a period of stability in the exchange rate, which played a significant role in the Irish economy's recovery from 1987 onwards. The chart displaying the GBP/IEP rate shows a gradual appreciation from the lows of 75p in 1980 to nearly parity in 1996.

With Ireland's increasing focus on entering the euro, the Irish pound has

weakened against sterling in the past two years due to the UK currency's exceptional strength. Going forward, it is likely that there will be a renewed move towards parity. Against the US dollar, the Irish pound experienced a sharp decline in the first half of the 1980s but managed to recover most of its value by the end of 1987. Since then, the USD/IEP rate has fluctuated within a narrower range, with a base rate of $1.40. A rate of $1.60 has mostly contained any upside movement since the 1990s. As mentioned in another section of this Market Focus, we anticipate the USD/IEP rate to potentially move back towards a range of $1.55-$1.60 throughout 1999.

Over the past 10 years, the Irish pound has experienced a wide range of movements on a trade-weighted basis. The chart displays this trend. In early 1998, the index reached its lowest level, causing Irish inflation to exceed 3% this year. Currently, the index is trending upwards and is expected to continue doing so in 1999, which will have a downward impact on Irish inflation.

Due to worsening economic conditions, the UK has lowered its interest rates by an additional 0.50% since the start of December. As a result, although the value of the British pound has remained relatively strong, it has weakened when compared to the German mark and other currencies in the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM). We anticipate this trend to persist throughout 1999, with the GBP/IEP exchange rate falling to a range of 0.93-0.95p by the third quarter. The low interest rates of the euro and the appeal of sterling as an investment destination will help prevent a

substantial decline in its value against the new currency. Nonetheless, sterling will continue to be affected by indications of an overall economic downturn in the UK and the possibility of further interest rate cuts by the Bank of England.

The recent boost in the exchange rate between GBP/IEP is positive for Irish inflation. The CPI has displayed signs of slowing down, as seen in November's year-on-year rate drop to 2.1%. Over the past month, the Irish pound has strengthened against the dollar. However, the US stock market continues to experience volatility.

Despite the fact that euro interest rates have been reduced to 3.00%, the US currency has not been able to significantly improve against the DMark. Concerns persist in the market regarding the future of the US economy and the potential negative impact of the Brazilian fiscal situation on US growth. In addition to subdued prospects for US growth, the dollar is also being undermined by the current political scandal surrounding President Clinton. The dollar is expected to remain vulnerable going into the New Year, which could result in the USD/IEP rate returning to a higher trading range. We anticipate a move to $1.55 by the end of next year. The decrease in Irish official interest rates to 3.00% signifies that the Irish pound has essentially reached its expected starting rate of DM2 in anticipation of EMU.

European Finance Ministers should confirm the bilateral conversion rate against the DMark, which is the current ERM central rate, on 31st December. The determination of the bilateral rates on this date is explained on page 9. Based on current market conditions, the Irish pound is expected to enter EMU at a

fixed rate of approximately 1.256 against the euro, or 1 euro should be equivalent to IEP 0.796. On 3 May 1998, EU finance ministers and central bank governors stated that the bilateral central rates in the ERM would be used for fixing the irrevocable euro conversion rates on 31 December 1998. Since these rates were considered consistent with the countries' economic fundamentals, there was no expectation of any realignment of these bilateral central rates before the start of the euro. Despite the global economic and financial crisis, there has been minimal tension within the ERM since May.

As a result, it is expected that the current ERM rates will remain the same. The central banks of the Member States that have adopted the euro as their currency since January 1, 1999, have been instructed to use market techniques to ensure that market exchange rates are equivalent to the ERM central rates listed on page 8. According to the Maastricht Treaty, all parties involved must take steps to ensure that the adoption of fixed conversion rates for the euro does not change the external value of the existing ECU. This means that the euro should replace the ECU at a one-to-one ratio.

According to the legal framework, any mention of the official ECU in a legal document must be replaced by the euro at a one-to-one exchange rate. This means that the conversion rates for the euro must be the same as the value of the ECU in the participating currencies on December 31, 1998. While the bilateral conversion rates between participating currencies have been announced, the conversion rates against the euro have not yet been revealed.

The euro

is required to replace the ECU, which consists of a mix of eleven currencies. However, three of these currencies - sterling, the Greek drachma, and Danish krone - are not participating in the European Monetary Union (EMU). To maintain equality, the central banks of the euro participants will intervene in the market. Nonetheless, any changes they make must balance out to zero in order to not impact the ECU's external value as outlined in the Maastricht Treaty.

The European Commission calculates the ECU/USD exchange rate using the exchange rates provided by the EU central banks, which are then communicated by the National Bank of Belgium. In order to calculate this rate, the Commission adds up the US dollar equivalents of the national currency amounts that make up the ECU basket, based on their respective weightings. Additionally, the ECU exchange rates against the euro currencies are determined by multiplying the USD/ECU exchange rate by their respective US dollar exchange rates. This calculation is also performed for EU currencies not participating in the European Monetary Union to determine their exchange rate against the euro.

These exchange rates are rounded to six significant figures. In 1997, Ireland's merchandise exports totaled 35 billion, equivalent to approximately 73% of GDP, which is considered high by international standards. The primary sectors experiencing growth in Irish exports include the computers/electrical machinery and chemicals/pharmaceuticals industries. The major destinations for these exports are the UK (24.3%), Germany (12.5%), France (7.9%), Netherlands (6.8%), Belgium and Luxembourg (5.0%), Italy (3.3%), other EU Countries (6.8%), United States (11.4%), and Japan (3.2%).

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