Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at both primary and post primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 primary school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003-04 school year while at post primary level the pupil-teacher ratio has been reduced from 16:1 to 13.6:1 in the same period. My Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector in line with Government policy. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas. The information requested by the Deputy is not available.