Vol. 523 No. 5
115 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to ensure adequate access to primary and secondary education for all children with particular reference to the need to radically improve the pupil-teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21361/00]
140 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has in respect of the pupil-teacher ratio in post-primary schools. [21463/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 140 together.
An additional 1,000 teaching posts have been created at second level in the 2000-01 school year. A proportion of these posts were provided to facilitate the reduction from 19:1 to 18:1 in the pupil-teacher ratio for appointment purposes.
The actual pupil-teacher ratio at second level has been reduced significantly in recent years. The creation of the additional posts, combined with an anticipated fall in enrolments, will result in a further reduction in the actual pupil-teacher ratio in the sector.
The pupil-teacher ratio at primary level has also reduced significantly in recent years. In the current school year the pupil-teacher ratio is 20.4:1. The retention of the posts arising from the demographic dividend for the current year will further reduce the PTR.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I am allocating an additional 200 teaching posts at primary level for the 2000-01 school year to specifically deal with disadvantage.
Under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness an additional 900 teaching posts will be created at primary level and 400 at second level. These additional posts will further reduce the PTR at both primary and second level over the period of the programme.
