The Deputy will be aware that I have made provision in Budget 2016 for some 2,260 additional teaching posts for our primary and post primary schools next year. At primary level there will be a one point improvement to the primary staffing schedule to be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This will see the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply for DEIS Band 1 schools. The improved staffing schedule is currently available on the Department website.
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 at primary and post-primary level. The most recent published information for primary schools, relates to the 2014/15 school year. The average class size in that year was 24.9.