Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 5

Written Answers. - Primary Schools Class Size.

Jim Higgins

Question:

145 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Education the maximum class size guideline for primary schools; and the number of deviations from the agreement in staffing made between the Government and the INTO under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress in accordance with this maximum class size guideline.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The maximum class size guidelines set down by my Department are as follows:

for a single standard class — maximum of 39 pupils;

for a class mixing 2 standards — maximum of 38 pupils;

for a class mixing more than 2 standards — maximum of 35 pupils;

one teacher schools with more than 4 standards — maximum of 28 pupils.

Statistics are not immediately available on the number of posts allocated under the maximum class size guidelines but will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.