Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Oct 1991

Vol. 411 No. 5

Written Answers. - Class Sizes.

Jim Higgins

Question:

129 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the number of primary school classes which have the following pupil numbers as of 30 September 1991 (1) under 25 pupils, (2) from 25-29 pupils, (3) from 30-34 pupils, (4) from 35-39 pupils and (5) over 40 pupils.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The information required by the Deputy is given in tabular form underneath together with comparative data on class-size as between the 1989-90 and 1990-91 school years.

Number of National School Classes by Size Category

	1989/90	1990/91*
Under 25	2,719	2,933
25 — 29	3,648	4,098
30 — 34	5,675	5,871
35 — 39	4,886	4,212
40 and over	599	467
Total Classes(Ordinary)	17,527	17,581
Total Pupils (Ordinary)	540,572	532,201
Average Class Size	30.8	30.3

* Data refer to the 1990-91 school year and are provisional. Statistical data in respect of the 1991-92 school year are only in the process of collection and preliminary analysis by my Department at present and, consequently, corresponding data are not yet available in respect of the current school year. Data refer to ordinary national classes only and exclude special classes for handicapped pupils.

The above data indicate the gradual improvement which is taking place in the areas of pupil/teacher ratio and class size. This is due to the general decline in pupil numbers in national schools and the fact that the overall number of national school teachers is remaining roughly constant from one year to the next, e.g. 20,321 in 1989-90 and 20,393 in 1990-91. The pupil teacher ratio has fallen from 27.2 in 1989-90 to 26.7 in 1990-91.