asked the Minister for Education the number of classes in primary schools in which there are over (a) 50 pupils, (b) 45 pupils, (c) 40 pupils, and (d) 35 pupils.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary School Classes.
40.
Mr. R. Burke
The figures as on 28th September, 1973, are as follows:
|
Class Size |
Number of Classes |
|
Over 50 |
63 |
|
Over 45 |
788 |
|
Over 40 |
3,897 |
|
Over 35 |
6,879 |
In the reply to part (a) of the question—over 50 pupils— might I ask the Minister how many of those are in Dublin?
Mr. R. Burke
That would be a figure of detail which I am not in a position to give at present.
Might I get the figures again from the Minister?
Mr. R. Burke
Over 50 class size —63; over 45 class size—788; over 40 class size—3,897; over 35 class size— 6,879.
Might I ask the Minister has he got detail—which might be too long to give in the House— that could be circulated in the Official Report, particularly in respect of the class size over 50?
Mr. R. Burke
No, but I will make the information available to the Deputy in so far as it is available to me in response to a particular question. I might add that the figures in question relate to a particular date, which is 28th September, 1973, as I stated in my reply.
Might I ask the Minister what is the ideal class size it is aimed to establish?
The question, Deputy, is a statistical one.
What ratio—one teacher to how many pupils?
Mr. R. Burke
It is not possible to give an answer to that because the desirable ratio of teachers to pupils might differ from one class to another.
Could the Minister give the Dublin figure?
Mr. R. Burke
I think there would be general acceptance of a figure somewhere in the thirties.
In view of what are actually astounding figures—I had no idea they were so bad—would the Minister not consider it desirable to retain some of the 65-plus teachers this year who, in addition to the team of newly-trained teachers, might be able to make a frontal assault on that very disastrous state of affairs?
Mr. R. Burke
The Deputy knows that the answer to that must be: "Yes, I would like if I could do so."
Could the Minister say why the last figures available are for September, 1973?
Mr. R. Burke
At the time the answer was being prepared that was the date for which we had available figures.
Might I ask the Minister how often does he get these figures out? Is it only in regard to a question such as this, or does he not always have such figures available in his Department?
Mr. R. Burke
Yes, but it takes some time to compile them from all over the country.
Questions Nos. 41 to 44, inclusive, postponed.