Tomás MacGiolla
Ceist:40 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Education the steps being taken to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in community schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratio.
In accordance with the agreement reached by the Government following discussions conducted under the aegis of the Central Review Committee of the Programme for National Recovery, consideration was given to improvements in the pupil-teacher ratio at post-primary level.
Specifically, in relation to post-primary schools, including community schools, the position is that, arising from demographic decline, the Government have decided that where there are teachers in excess to requirements by reference to a 20:1 pupil-teacher ratio, teachers may be retained to the extent that such retention would be justified by the application of a pupil-teacher ratio of 19:1.
The Government's intention is that the resource being provided by this concession should be used to make available additional remedial/guidance teaching to the pupils.
In addition, extra resources will be made available to provide additional teachers in specific disadvantaged areas. Following discussions with all interested parties a questionnaire issued to all second level schools in this regard seeking information which will assist my Department to make an objective assessment of the most necessitous areas. This material is at present being processed in my Department.