Ireland has witnessed a baby boom over the past decade that means the number of pupils enrolling at primary schools this year has jumped to 525,000.

In September, around 10,000 more children will enrol for school than last year, with numbers at the highest level in two decades, the Irish Independent reports.

As a result, it is estimated about 500 to 600 primary teacher positions need to be filled this year, with 200 of these newly-created in order to cater for the jump in pupil numbers.

Secondary-level schools have also seen a surge in pupils, with an additional 5,000 enrolments expected this year.

This will take the number of individuals starting at second-level up to 327,000, with enrolments predicted to peak in 2027, which is eight years after the peak in primary numbers.

Written by Donal Walsh

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