Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (1071, 1072, 1073)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1071. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated full year cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio to 18:1 by paying all staff on the pre-2011 pay scale. [41224/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1072. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio from 1:27 to 1:22 by paying all staff on the pre-2011 pay scale. [41225/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1073. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio from 1:27 to 1:15. [41226/21]

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1071, 1072 and 1073 together.

Teacher 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 primary level, each one point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio would result in approximately 300 additional teaching posts. In 2021, the average cost of a primary teacher is €66,780. In 2011, the average cost was approximately €60,000.

At post primary level, each one point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio would result in approximately 1150 additional teaching posts. In 2021, the average cost of a post primary teacher is €67,600. In 2011, the average cost was approximately €64,000.

Question No. 1072 answered with Question No. 1071.

Question No. 1073 answered with Question No. 1071.