Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
344. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school teachers in 2023-2024; the provisional allocation for 2024-2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19333/24]
View answerCurrently there are over 42,900 teaching posts allocated across the primary school system. This represents an increase of over 4,300 teachers when compared with the 2020/21 school year.
Budget 2024 has provided for an unprecedented €10.5 billion investment in education, which includes an increase of €421 million in core current funding, as well as over €80 million in core capital funding. An additional €170 million is also being provided as part of Cost of Living and COVID-19 supports. These additional funds build on significant increases in recent budgets and further enhance the investment in Ireland’s education system. The significant increased investment is the largest education budget in the history of the state and reflects government’s commitment to a quality inclusive school system and improved learning outcomes for every student.
In the three previous budgets, I prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools, by one point each year, which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio shows an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 15.7:1 to 13.4:1 at primary level when comparing the 2016/17 school year to the 2022/23 school year. In the same period the primary staffing schedule improved from 27:1 to 24:1. Average class sizes at primary improved from 24.6 to 22.8 in the same period. The improvements brought about by Budget 2023 for this school year will be available in the statistical reports published at the end of the school year as will the final teacher allocation figure in respect of the current school year.
The allocation process for the 2024/25 school year is currently underway and will not be finalised until the Autumn.
