Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
422. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.
Teachers are currently allocated to post primary schools 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 require approximately 1150 teaching posts at an estimated cost of €57.8m per annum. The average cost of a new entrant post primary teacher is currently €50,327.
