asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the urgent need to improve the pupil-teacher ratio, especially in post-primary schools in rural areas in the west of Ireland, where schools are finding it almost impossible to give pupils a satisfactory range of subjects; and if money will be made available for this purpose in the next budget.
Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
503.
I am not aware that in the case of the schools concerned the position is as suggested in the question. As I have indicated already in reply to other questions on this subject, it is not possible in present circumstances to improve the pupil-teacher ratio.