Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 May 2016
148. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing the additional school classrooms required to reduce class sizes in primary schools to a maximum of 20 pupils per class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12195/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra150. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of providing additional school classrooms to reduce class sizes at schools participating in the DEIS initiative to a maximum of 15 pupils per class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12197/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 150 together.
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing schedule in the current year at primary level operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils. Lower thresholds apply in the case of the 646 DEIS Band 1 primary schools, ranging from 20:1 to 24:1 depending on the type of school.
The capital requirements impact arising from a reduction in class size is difficult to predict at individual school level including DEIS schools. A change in the staffing schedule may not always give rise to the appointment of an additional teacher and therefore the provision of new classroom build. In areas of stable or falling pupil enrolment numbers schools may already have a spare classroom or be in a position to convert an existing space into a classroom.
It is estimated that each 1 point adjustment to the staffing schedule will involve an additional 250-300 posts. Not taking any potential spare classroom capacity into consideration, it is estimated that the cost of providing additional classroom accommodation for each 1 point adjustment to the staffing schedule will amount to between €34 million to €40 million.
