Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
585. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if all primary schools, including all DEIS primary schools, will benefit from the one-point reduction in the pupil teacher ratio in Budget 2022. [51059/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.
At primary level, the annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. The current allocation is on an average ratio of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils. Budget 2022 has implemented a further 1 point reduction for the 2022/23 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils in September 2022. Lower thresholds apply to DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which will also benefit from the improvement to the staffing schedule next year.
This Budget measure has brought the teacher allocation ratio in all primary schools to the lowest ever seen at primary level. This is the second successive Budget which has seen an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools.
