Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

457 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science if the information recently supplied to Deputy Farrelly in a reply to a parliamentary question in relation to the pupil-teacher ratio of all primary schools in County Meath was incorrect on the grounds that Deputy Farrelly was informed by him that the pupil-teacher ratio in some schools was calculated on the basis of a case where a temporary remedial teacher was included in the figures as being a permanent full-time teacher resulting in the figures being totally incorrect and inaccurate in this regard; if he will inform Deputy Farrelly on the number of schools for which inaccurate information was provided by including these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20942/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The Deputy will recall that in my recent reply to a parliamentary question in which he raised in this matter, I advised him that the pupil-teacher ratio is the ratio of the primary teaching population to the primary pupil population. Accordingly, all teaching posts, whether temporary or permanent, are taken into account when determining the pupil-teacher ratio.