A new survey has reportedly found that almost 70% of Leaving Cert students are now taking private grinds, compared to just 50% a decade ago.

Reports this morning say the real number of pupils availing of private tutoring is actually higher as the new figures do not include the huge numbers of people attending grind schools like Dublin's Institute of Education.

The latest survey says girls continue to avail of grinds to a greater extent than boys, but the number of boys getting private tuition has increased from 45% to 63% since 1997.

The research was carried out by Student Enrichment Services, a company that provides skills lessons to pupils and teachers.