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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Feb 1981

Vol. 326 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - National School Class Numbers.

6.

asked the Minister for Education (a) the number of classes of more than 40 pupils in national schools; and (b) the number of pupils in such classes at the latest date for which figures are available.

The latest date for which figures are available in respect of class sizes in national schools is the school year 1979-80. The information is as follows: 1979-80—Number of classes in excess of 40 pupils, 980; Number of pupils in classes in excess of 40 pupils, 41,679.

Would it be reasonable to assume that the Minister has given up all hope of meeting during his term of office the manifesto commitment of eradicating classes of over 40?

No, I have not given up hope and I call on the House to witness the advance that has been made. When I took office there were 3,620 classes of 40 or over. There are now 980 such classes. I call the attention of the House to the fact that there are almost 40,000 pupils in classes of 30 or under, some of them with a pupil-teacher ratio of 15 to one.

Is the Minister now reiterating his commitment to have no classes of more than 40 pupils in them before the general election?

The Minister is committed to work in that direction, yes.

That is a different matter.

Would the Minister, in accordance with his manifesto, like to indicate to the House the timetable for reducing the size of the national school classes to 32 pupils?

That is the same question as Deputy Horgan has just asked.

I am asking for the timetable.

The Minister is working to a timetable.

I am the only one working.

Is the Minister not prepared to put a timetable on this?

Would the Minister confirm to the House that the number of classes for the school year 1977-78 with 40:1 average was 3,260 and the number for the school year 1978-79 was 2,160——

A question, please, Deputy.

Would the Minister confirm the figures for 1979-80——

I have seen better planting in State forests.

(Interruptions.)

The number of classes in 1977-78 that had 40 pupils or over was 3,260 and, as the Deputy said, 2,160 in 1978-79 and in 1979-80 there were 980.

Furthermore, a Cheann Comhairle, with your indulgence I could tell the House that for the year 1980-81 we have not got the full figures but there will be an improvement on that as well.

Questions Nos. 7 and 8 are for written reply.

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