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Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016

Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Questions (34)

Mick Barry

Question:

34. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the concerns of a group of parents whose children attend a school (details supplied) that classes are too big in the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28388/16]

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Written answers

The criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts to primary schools is published annually on my Department's website. The key factor for determining the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to each school is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.  

However, the staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent classroom posts for the coming school year, on developing school grounds.

The school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for 1 additional classroom post on this developing school criteria for the 2016/17 school year. This post is subject to the school achieving projected enrolments on 30 September 2016. 

The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are managed at local school level. My Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account, for example, available classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolments etc. School authorities are also requested, where possible, to use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.

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