Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

Is the Minister aware that more than 80% of approximately 210,000 to 220,000 children under the age of nine in classes ranging from junior infants up to second class are in classes of more than 20? International evidence indicates that smaller class sizes can benefit a child's reading and language development skills, mathematics and artistic development. It also indicates that teachers who are able to spend more time teaching can benefit children under the age of nine and prepare them for the work ahead. Studies have shown that people who complete their leaving certificate and go to college earn more money and pay more in tax.

The programme for Government contained a pledge that over the next five years the Government would progressively introduce maximum class size guidelines to ensure the average size of classes for children under nine would be below the international best practice guideline of 20:1. Is the Government admitting that it has broken that promise and that it will remain broken until the next election?

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