I don't understand where this idea that Ireland is full of poor uneducated people is coming from. 200 years ago? Sure, we have skangers (chavs) and some areas have a problem with this, but not near as much as you hear about the UK..stab-proof school jumpers and all that. Here, people don't bring weapons to school, in general. You can't drop out before 16, and because everyone does 7 subjects for the Leaving, and subjects seen as 'soft' in the UK don't exist, you could argue that people receive a broader education here, more suited for a variety of uni courses.