Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment to make further progress in reducing the pupil-teacher ratios, PTRs, in primary schools. I am very pleased to have been able to introduce three successive PTR reductions in each of the past three budgets. I know the significance of this and that the Deputy is very conscious of it. Indeed, it is a measure that has been welcomed right across the board.

Budget 2023 provided an additional €588 million in funding for education. This significant increase built on recent budgets and further enhanced the investment in primary and post-primary education. The significant increased investment reflects the Government’s commitment to a quality, inclusive, school system.

For the current school year, the staffing schedule operates on a general average of 24 pupils to every one teacher, which is historically low. More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS urban band 1 schools. Budget 2023 has implemented a further one-point reduction for the coming 2023-24 school year. That will operate on a ratio of 1:23 pupils in September 2023.

In budget 2021, I also introduced a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. The recent announcement in budget 2023 will further reduce this retention schedule by virtue of the one-point improvement to the staffing schedule that helps to ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that fewer pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.

The numbers employed in our schools have now reached the highest number ever. Teacher numbers at primary level have increased by more than 5,000 compared to the 2017-18 school year. This has led to a steady improvement in the pupil-teacher ratio and average class size statistics during this period. The latest figures in relation to pupil-teacher ratios show an improved ratio of teachers to pupils from 15.3:1 to 13.7:1 at primary level when comparing the 2017-18 school year to the 2021-22 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil-teacher ratio, which is 1:15.

In the same period, the primary staffing schedule improved from 27:1 to 24:1 for the current school year and will be 23:1 for the 2023-24 school year. Average class sizes in primary schools improved from 24.5 to 22.8 in the same period.

The 2023 budget announcements will continue the positive trend of improving class sizes for the current school year and statistics on this will be published in the next few weeks. I am conscious of the staffing schedule and the need to prioritise teacher allocations in primary schools, given their vital role. I am looking at how best to make further progress in reducing the primary teacher ratio in the context of the overall programme for Government and also in the context of the budget.

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