Vol. 403 No. 4
11 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the Government's proposals for the improvement of the pupil-teacher ratio at primary and post primary levels as proposed in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
12 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the fact that (a) this country has the largest primary classes in Europe, (b) lacks permanent employment opportunities for newly qualified teachers, (c) suffers from under provision of remedial teachers and (d) declining pupil numbers entering primary education release funds to her Department, she will give priority to the substantial reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
17 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Education, in view of the fact that the pupil-teacher ratio at second level in Italy is 10/1 and in the United Kingdom is 13/1, the steps she proposes to take to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio from 20/1 to 19/1 as an initial step; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
48 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans to improve the pupil-teacher ratios in secondary schools in County Kildare; if she accepts that improvement is required having regard to the increased number of students; if she has plans to improve matters in 1991; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
55 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her plans to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in national schools since recent figures show that nearly three-quarters of all pupils are in classes of 30 pupils or more.
77 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Education the plans she has to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
80 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Education the action she proposes to take during the coming year to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio at first level; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
83 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Education the steps she intends to take to improve the ratio of special stu-dents-remedial teachers at second level in order that the students with learning difficulties are given a proper level of tuition which adequately responds to their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
87 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Education the plans she has to improve the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools throughout the country; and when she proposes to introduce a lower pupil-teacher ratio.
230 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education her views on whether, in establishing the pupil-teacher ratio in secondary schools, the vice-principal and career guidance teacher be excluded and that the pupil/teacher ratio be reduced to 18.
257 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education the steps she proposes to take as a matter of urgency to bring about substantial improvements in the pupil-teacher ratio for the 26,250 primary school pupils who are in classes of more than 40 pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
258 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the European pupil-teacher ratio average is 19:1 at first level whereas in Ireland it is 27:1; if she has plans to redress the imbalance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
267 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Education if she intends to address the problems in post-primary education by reducing the pupil-teacher ratio for second level schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
273 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the National Parents Council for primary school children has launched a campaign for the reduction of the pupil-teacher ratio; and the plans she has to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools.
292 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education the arrangements she intends to put in place in order to meet the demand for remedial teachers during the current school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
297 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans regarding a reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for post-primary schools from 20:1 to 19:1.
298 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education if she has any plans for the restoration of vice-principals and career guidance teachers outside the quota.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 12, 17, 48, 55, 77, 80, 83, 87, 230, 257, 258, 267, 273, 292, 297 and 298 together.
The question of the quota for teachers in schools generally is currently under discussion with the social partners, in the context of ongoing negotiations for the programme for economic and social development. Indeed, as we speak they are in consultation about these matters and, therefore, it would be incorrect of me to pre-empt those negotiations.
In view of the fact that we have the highest pupil-teacher ratio in our primary and secondary schools of any country in Europe, will the Minister give this matter priority to ensure that the pupil-teacher ratio is reduced? Will she provide the necessary resources to ensure the employment of extra staff?
In fairness I must call Deputy Brian O'Shea whose Question No. 12 refers.
As 25,600 children are in classes of over 40 and three quarters of all children at primary level are in classes of over 30, will the Minister give the House an undertaking that in the coming year she will make good the damage done by the cutbacks which she introduced in 1987 to the primary sector?
Let me be quite clear and explicit. The pupil-teacher ratio came down last September, restoring it to the level at which the Government of which the Deputy's party were a partner had left it. The talks in which we are now engaged concern bringing down the pupil-teacher ratio at primary and post-primary level. I could not possibly give a commitment in the House regarding a matter under discussion at present between the social partners. Of course, I have a strong commitment to improving the education service in general and I have given much thought to the question raised here by Deputy O'Shea and Deputy Deenihan. The weeks ahead will tell a tale in this regard.
We must now proceed to other questions to the same Minister.
