Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Richard Bruton

Question:

269 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the pupil to teacher ratio, the capitation grants and any other supplementary payments that apply to the different types of schools operating at primary level, second level and special education. [13539/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The following is the information requested by the Deputy:

1. Mainstream Primary Schools

a) The pupil teacher ratio in mainstream primary schools is 21.7:1.

b) Capitation grants and other supplementary payments are as follows:

Category	Rate of Grant
Schools where a Board of Management has been established	£50.00 per pupil
Schools maintained by the Office of Public Works	£20.00 per pupil
Scoileanna Lánghaelacha	£70.00 per pupil
Minimum grant to small schools**	£3,000
Minimum grant to small schools maintained by the Office of Public Works	£1,200.00
Schools designated as disadvantaged	£80 per pupil

**A small school is defined as a school with an enrolment of less than 60 pupils.

In addition, primary schools which already have neither caretaking nor clerical assistance under the existing Department's schemes may qualify for additional capitation grants of up to £30 per pupil subject to a maximum of £15,000 per annum.

2. Second

a) A pupil teacher ratio of 19:1 applies in all second level schools in respect of ordinary enrolments.

A ratio of 16:1 applies in the case of enrolments on programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme and PLC courses.

Resource posts have been allocated to cater for special needs pupils attending ordinary second level schools on the basis of the following ratios: Mildly Mentally Handicapped 12:1; Hearing impaired 6:1; and Visually impaired 8:1.

b) The way in which funding is provided to second-level schools reflects the different management and ownership arrangements for voluntary secondary schools, vocational schools, community colleges and community and comprehensive schools.

The financial allocations for vocational schools and community colleges are made to the vocational education committees as part of a block grant which also covers the VEC overheads and other activities outside of the second-level programme. Voluntary secondary schools are funded on aper capita basis while the annual budget for community and comprehensive schools takes into account factors which vary from school to school such as enrolments, age of buildings and size of school.

The capitation rate per pupil attending a voluntary secondary school amounts to £177. An additional capitation grant of £30 per pupil is paid to schools which have been designated as disadvantaged. In addition, voluntary secondary schools may also be eligible for assistance under a range of other grants in the free education scheme including grants for the employment of caretakers and secretaries and certain curricular support grants.

3. Special Schools and Special Classes

a) The pupil teacher ratio in special schools and special classes varies in accordance with the individual needs of the pupils. The various pupil teacher ratios are as follows:

Disability	Pupil/Teacher Ratio
Visually Impaired	8:1
Hearing Impaired	7:1
Mild Mental Handicap	13:1
Moderate Mental Handicap	9:1
Emotionally Disturbed	9:1
Severely Disturbed	6:1
Physically Disabled	12:1
Specific Learning Disability	11:1
Multiple Handicap	6:1
Children of the Travelling Community	14:1
Speech and Language Disorder	7:1
Severe/Profound Mental Handicap	6:1

b) Enhanced rates of capitation funding ranging from £253 per pupil to £426 per pupil are paid in respect of children with special needs who attend special schools or special classes attached to mainstream schools.

c) In addition, a targeted programme of special supports is available to schools included in the breaking the cycle pilot project, the disadvantaged areas scheme and the home school community liaison scheme.