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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 May 1995

Vol. 452 No. 3

Written Answers. - Class Size Guidelines.

Tom Kitt

Ceist:

16 Mr. T. Kitt asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to reduce class sizes, in particular in disadvantaged areas. [7963/95]

As the Deputy may be aware, all the posts which were due to be lost in primary schools at the end of the current school year due to declining pupil enrolments are being retained. The retention of these posts has enabled me to reduce the general maximum class size guidelines by two in all ordinary primary schools for the 1995-96 school year. The specific guidelines depend on the type of school.

In addition, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I introduced a maximum class size guideline of 29 for primary schools classified as disadvantaged in the 1994-95 school year. My Department sanctioned additional posts for all schools classified as disadvantaged as necessary to ensure that the maximum size guidelines are met. The maximum class size guideline of 29 will apply for the 1995-96 and subsequent school years.

The majority of schools which have been given disadvantaged area status have been allocated additional ex-quota teaching posts to assist them in dealing with the particular difficulties presented in disadvantaged areas. To date, a total of 293 such posts have been allocated to 310 primary schools in disadvantaged areas. I am keeping the question of further such allocations under continuing review.

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