Micheál Martin
Ceist:424 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure equality of treatment in terms of the annual staffing schedules for all primary schools, irrespective of whether they are gaelscoileanna or not. [15108/96]
Written Answers. - Annual Staffing Schedules.
I am aware that the pupil-teacher ratio in primary gaelscoileanna is more favourable than that which applies to primary mainstream schools. This reflects the importance which the Government attributes to the Irish language. I am committed to reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in mainstream primary schools generally. Since taking office I have reduced the pupil-teacher ratio from 25.2:1 to 22.9:1. Unfortunately, however, current resources available do not permit me to allocate corresponding staffing schedules to both ordinary national schools and gaelscoileanna.