Vol. 487 No. 2
79 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he will take to reduce the pupil to teacher ratio in view of the recent OECD report showing that Ireland had the highest ratio in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3503/98]
The pupil-teacher ratios at both primary and second levels have improved significantly in recent years due to the allocation of additional ex-quota and concessionary posts and the application of a reduced ratio in respect of a range of new programmes which have been introduced in schools.
The pupil-teacher ratio at primary level is currently 21.7 to 1. The current standard pupil teacher ratio at second level is 19 to 1; however, when all pupils and teaching posts are taken into account, the actual pupil-teacher ratio is currently of the order of 16 to 1.
The question of reducing the ratios still further in the future will be considered in the context of available resources.
