Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 7

Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

364 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has for the reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary and second levels with particular reference to those schools now having a higher than average pupil-teacher ratio [11894/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

This Government has already reduced the pupil-teacher ratio in both primary and second level schools.

I should explain that while the pupil-teacher ratio serves a very useful function of indicating the relationship at national level between pupil numbers and teacher numbers, it does not accurately reflect the position in many classrooms. While there are schools which have a pupil-teacher ratio which is lower than the national average, I equally accept that there are schools with a ratio higher than the national average.

The pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools now stands at 21:2. As a result of the substantially improved staffing schedule which I recently announced, this ratio will be further improved in the next school year.

The pupil-teacher ratio at second level has improved 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 second level schools. The Deputy will also be aware of my recent significant initiative which introduced a retention ratio of 18:1 in relation to schools with over quota full-time teachers who might otherwise be redeployed. This coupled with the provision of a remedial entitlement to all second level schools and the extension of the home school liaison scheme will have a consider-able and sustained impact on the pupil teacher ratio at second level.

From the start of the 1999-2000 school year, in addition to retaining the demographic dividend and reducing class sizes in primary schools, and introducing a retention ratio at second level for over quota full-time teachers, the Government has sanctioned the creation of a further 450 new posts across both sectors. This is the first significant increase in teacher staffing for many years.

I believe that these moves clearly indicate the importance which this Government attributes to education, and demonstrate its commitment to seriously addressing the issue of teaching resources available in our schools.