Almost 6,500 fewer pupils were enrolled in primary schools in Ireland last year, reflecting a decade of declining births, according to to the latest data published by the Department of Education and Youth.

Births in Ireland peaked in 2012 at 74,000 and are now about 20,000 per annum lower than that, with the consequences playing out in reduced school numbers. Ireland’s fertility rate at 1.5 children per woman is now well below replacement level of 2.1

Primary school enrolment had fallen by almost 4,000 the previous year and by just over 2,000 the year before that

The decline in enrolment places further pressure on many small rural schools which fear closure or the loss of teachers as a result.

Eleven primary schools have closed permanently since last June due to low enrolment making them unviable.