Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
748. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost per annum to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary and post-primary schools by one point and five points, respectively. [31140/21]
View answer749. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost per annum to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools to 20:1. [31141/21]
View answer750. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of additional classrooms required to facilitate the reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio by one point. [31142/21]
View answer751. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated number of additional classrooms required to facilitate a pupil-teacher ratio of 20:1. [31143/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 748 to 751, inclusive, together.
Teachers are currently allocated to post primary schools at a ratio of 19:1 in the free education system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector. Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level is estimated to cost in the region of €56.5m per annum.
At primary level, the annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. For the current school year, it operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1). Budget 2021 has implemented a further 1 point reduction for the 2021/22 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. In addition, there has been a three point reduction in the retention schedule, which will assist schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. Each one point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule would cost approximately €14.5m annually.
While each one point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule results in an approximate 300 additional teaching posts, the number of additional classrooms required would be dependent on the existing accommodation arrangements in the schools due to gain a teaching post.
