The teacher allocation to voluntary secondary, community and comprehensive schools and to vocational education committees for a particular school year consists of the allocation warranted by the recognised pupil enrolment at the end of the preceding September, as determined by the current pupil teacher ratio, together with approved ex-quota or concessionary posts as appropriate. Ex-quota posts include principal, deputy principal, learning support/remedial, career guidance and resource teaching posts.
The current PTR for appointment purposes at second level is 18:1. A de facto PTR of 16:1 applies in respect of certain programmes, for example, leaving certificate applied, leaving certificate vocational programme, junior certificate school programme and post-leaving certificate courses.