I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 to 266, inclusive, 272 and 273 together.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment on the previous 30 September. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location.
The numbers employed in our schools have now reached their highest ever level. The number of teachers has increased from 63,635 in 2016/17 to 70,841 in 2020/21, an increase of over 7,200 teaching posts. Budget 2021 has provided for a budget of more than €8.9 billion for the Department of Education in 2021.
Budget 2021 has implemented a 1 point reduction for the 2021/22 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils which has brought the teacher allocation ratio in all primary schools to the most favourable ever seen at primary level. In addition, there has been a three point reduction in the retention schedule, which will assist schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. This measure will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.
1,065 additional posts in schools will be funded in the 2021/22 school year, including nearly 800 teaching posts to cater for the reduction in pupil teacher ratio at primary level and additional teachers in special education at primary and post primary level.
At post primary level, teachers are currently allocated at a ratio of 19:1 in the free education system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector. Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level would result in an additional 1150 teaching posts at an estimated cost of €56.5m per annum. Any further improvement will have to be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.
The Statistics Section of my Department’s website contains extensive information relating to our schools including pupil teacher ratios and teacher numbers.