Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2015
553. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide in tabular form the current average class size in primary level and in secondary level schools and the first-year and full-year cost of reducing the average size of primary level classes by one pupil, two pupils and three pupils. [33345/15]
View answerTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
At post primary level teaching posts are allocated on the basis of 19:1 with a ratio of 18.25 applying in DEIS schools and 23.1 in fee charging schools. The staffing schedule at primary level operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools. Each one point adjustment to the current 28:1 schedule at primary level is estimated to cost of the order of 250 posts (estimated €15m full year cost, €5m first year cost). The Statistics Section of my Department's website contains extensive data relating to schools. The most recent published information relates to the 2014/2015 school year.
