Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
150. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of implementing one-point reductions in average class size at primary level; and his estimates for reducing the average class size to 23 pupils for the 2017-18 school year. [23186/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level.
Budget 2016 provides for a one point adjustment to the staffing allocation to primary schools, which will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This will see the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply for DEIS Band 1 schools, ranging from 20:1 to 24:1 depending on the type of school.
Each 1 point adjustment to the staffing schedule is estimated to cost between 250-300 additional posts, at a cost of circa. €15m-€18m.
