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Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2014

Thursday, 3 July 2014

Questions (82)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

82. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding class sizes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28966/14]

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Written answers

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level.

My Department publishes annual statistics on class size data for each school. Statistics for the 2013/14 school year were published recently. The national average class size is 24.8 pupils. However, with over 21,000 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level. My Department's guidance to local school management is that such variations should be kept to the minimum.

The staffing schedule includes the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for September 2014. In addition, the staffing appeals process at primary level has been extended for the coming school year to allow schools that are not gaining an additional teaching post under the developing schools criterion to submit an appeal to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. This appeal criterion is targeted at those schools that make a significant contribution to the provision of school places and so assist the response to demographic growth within their area and, as a result, are under significant pressure on their class sizes at infants level. Circular 0007/2014 provides details for schools wishing to make an appeal.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Schemes is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The terms of the school transport schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.

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