Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 6

Written Answers. - Pupil/Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

73 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education, having regard to the teacher allocation made to Kildare Vocational Education Committee in the current year, she will outline the pupil/teacher ratio in each of the vocational education committee schools in the county; if she regards this ratio as acceptable; if the allocation to Kildare Vocational Education Committee is above or below the national average; if she has any proposals to improve the pupil/teacher ratio in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The matter of teacher staffing levels in individual schools in a VEC scheme is a matter for the chief executive officer and the committee. It would not be in accordance with normal practice to supply the information sought in respect of the staffing of individual vocational schools — in any case that information is not available in my Department.

I am satisfied that, in the context of the resources available for the VEC sector generally, the teaching staff resources allocated to the County Kildare VEC for the current session are sufficient to enable that committee to provide an adequate educational programme, and that that committee's teacher allocation does not compare unfavourably with the national average.

The matter of the allocation of teaching staff resources to VECs in respect of the next school session, 1990-91, is currently under consideration in my Department.