Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question to the Taoiseach relates to page 86 of the programme for Government with regard to the 3,137 primary schools in the State. There is a very clear commitment to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in junior and senior infant classes. We all know that the research shows a huge and very positive impact on children in their further education, staying in education and in their job prospects when the pupil-teacher ratio is reduced. There is another impact in the retention numbers for teachers. I was in two primary schools in the Curragh last week where excellent teachers are working in very difficult conditions, which I have already raised with the Minister for Defence. We have teaching principals, one of whom has three classes - fourth, fifth and sixth. They are both losing teachers this year. If the pupil-teacher ratio were reduced, this would have a positive impact and these schools could retain teachers.

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