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Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Questions (101, 102, 103)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

101. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide assurances that the increase in the pupil teacher ratio in further education from 17:1 to 19:1 will not result in a reduction of 25 whole time equivalent teaching posts across the city of Cork Vocational Education Committee. [57142/12]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

102. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on concerns that as a result of the high number of retirements in a college (details supplied), eight staffing positions have been placed at risk as a result of the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in further education programmes. [57143/12]

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Finian McGrath

Question:

103. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a college (details supplied) in County Cork has an increase of pupil teacher ratio of 19:1 which will mean many courses will be cancelled next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57147/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 103, inclusive, together.

There are 32,688 approved PLC places available nationwide and this number of places is being maintained. Places are allocated to Vocational Education Committees (VECs), Community and Comprehensive and Voluntary Secondary schools on an annual basis following an application process and VECs are responsible for the further allocation of those places to schools and colleges under their remit. City of Cork VEC has an allocation of some 4,020 Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) places and manages the PLC centres referred to by the Deputies.

As a result of the change in the pupil teacher ratio (PTR) the VEC's allocation of PLC teaching posts will be reduced from 236 to 212, a reduction of 24. These changes will not take effect until September 2013 and the VEC has until then to plan for the reduced teaching allocation for PLC centres under its remit. While it would have been preferable not to have to make any changes, by bringing the PLC PTR into line with that of free second level schools the Government has succeeded in protecting the class sizes in primary and free second-level schools for the coming year, ensuring that our limited resources are rightly focused on the children in our education system. It will result in an estimated saving of €12 million in a full year and €4 million in 2013. There will be a reduction of some 200 PLC teaching posts as a result of this change and it may result in a reduction in the range of subjects available to students. It is now up to the CEOs of each VEC to look at the resources available to them and to work with their Principals and staff to ensure they can continue to deliver programmes which closely meet the needs of both students and employers.

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