Vol. 513 No. 6
423 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils in national school classes in the Dublin area; the proposals, if any, he has to reduce class sizes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3059/00]
The information requested by the Deputy is being compiled in my Department and will be sent to him as soon as it is available.
The Deputy will be aware that a range of initiatives was introduced in the past two years to reduce class sizes in primary schools. They include improvements in the staffing schedule for the appointment and retention of teachers and particularly reductions in the retention and appointment figures for one-teacher schools. Other initiatives include the allocation of additional posts towards specifically helping the educationally disadvantaged and the introduction of a maximum class size guideline of 30. These initiatives have helped to reduce class sizes substantially.
Additional posts are being made available for the 2000/01 school year which will help to further reduce class sizes.
