Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2011
91 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if primary school classrooms designed and delivered in recent times will be large enough to accommodate larger class sizes; the design standard that is currently being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38908/11]
View answerIn the provision of major extensions/new school buildings it is the current practice of my Department to use a guideline of 80sq. metres as a standard size of a general primary school classroom. This space allows for the inclusion of two en suite toilets and in-room storage.
80 sq. metres is considered to be the optimum size of classroom in a new primary school. This size was determined by studies carried out by my Department in line with international best practice and is sufficiently large to comfortably cater for schools' needs.
