Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Feb 1991

Vol. 404 No. 9

Written Answers. - Pupil/Teacher Ratios.

Séamus Pattison

Question:

50 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the proposal in the Programme For Economic and Social Progress to reduce the pupil/teacher ratio at primary level to 25:1, she will ensure that classes in the high 30s and 40s will be eliminated from the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Under the existing arrangements negotiated under the auspices of the Central Review Committee of the Programme for National Recovery, school authorities, in particular the principal teachers, are responsible for arranging the organisation of schools so as to ensure that no classes group exceeds the following guidelines set down by my Department.

39 (in the case of a single-grade class-group)

38 (in the case of a class-group with two consecutive grades)

35 (in the case of multi-grade class-group)

If a school is unable to organise its total enrolment to remain within these guidelines my Department will be happy to examine the question of sanctioning the appointment of an additional teacher to enable it to do so.

The implementation of the agreement reached between the Government and the Social Partners, under theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, to reduce the overall pupil/teacher ratio at primary level to 25:1 by September 1992, will continue to a reduction in the overall level of class sizes in the primary system.