Vol. 532 No. 2
62 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps he will take to increase the number of primary teachers in order to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6940/01]
The Deputy may be aware that the Government has, since taking office, created an extra 1,875 teaching posts to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio and increase support for children with a disability or disadvantage in primary schools. The pupil-teacher ratio has declined from 22.2 to 1 in the 1996-97 school year to 20.4 to 1 in the 1999-2000 school year. The PTR for the current school year is 19.6 to 1.
The retention of posts arising from the demographic dividend in the current year, together with the creation of an additional 350 posts under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, will help to significantly further reduce the pupil-teacher ratio for the 2001-02 school year. Furthermore, under the programme, it is proposed to appoint an additional 550 primary teachers between the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years.
