Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
478. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education the estimated capital cost of the additional classroom space required to implement a one-point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio by first year and full-year cost. [38934/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that each 1 point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule creates an approximate 300 additional mainstream posts. It should be noted that such an adjustment may not warrant provision of additional accommodation across all primary schools as some schools may have capacity within their existing buildings to cater for staff increases.
Allowing for available accommodation based on information available to my Department, it is estimated that the cost of providing the required additional classroom accommodation to implement a one-point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio is circa €20m.
However, where additional accommodation is needed the costs associated with providing permanent accommodation will vary depending on a range of factors including the extent of the accommodation to be provided, linking new permanent accommodation with existing facilities, site topography, geographical location of schools and costs associated with complying with statutory requirements.
