The primary schools were generally mixed sex and, although both sexes were subject to CP, it was more common with boys than with girls. I understand that the nuns would sometimes smack the back of the legs or use a short cane. The leather was also used, depended on the individual teacher.
Secondary schools were single sex. Brothers, Nuns and lay teachers mainly used the leather. Unfortunately I have no direct information on the extend of CP in girls secondary schools in southern Ireland, although a friend who attended a Christian Brothers secondary there assured me that the leather was used in girls secondary schools, although not as frequently as it was used in his all boys school.
Some Irish members of the Christian Brothers moved to Edinburgh to set up a RC boys school there. The Brothers all brought their “Irish leathers” with them, but the lay teachers they engaged (about 50% of the teaching staff)were supplied with 2 tail extra heavy weight Lochgelly school straps. By all accounts this school followed the Irish example with the belt and leather being in frequent use.