Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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82. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address large classes in primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45180/21]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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If the Minister spreads marmalade too thin on a slice of toast, she will not even taste it. That is effectively what we are doing with teaching resources in super-sized classes. Last year, one in seven primary school pupils were in classes of 30 or more and, in these instances, both the weaker and stronger students lose out, causing disruption in the class which has an impact on the whole class.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In the programme for Government, there is a strong commitment to making further progress in reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools and supporting small schools. As part of budget 2021 measures, the Government has sought to deliver on this commitment by the announcement of a one-point change to the primary staffing schedule and the introduction of a three-point reduction in the number of pupils required to retain a teacher. For the 2021-22 school year, the staffing schedule is on the basis of one classroom teacher for every 25 pupils. This budget improvement has resulted in the lowest pupil-teacher ratio ever at primary school. The latest figures relating to pupil-teacher ratio show an improved pupil-teacher ratio from 16:1 to 14.5:1 at primary level, when comparing the 2015-16 school year to the 2020-21 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil-teacher ratio, which is 15:1. In the same period, the staffing schedule moved from 28:1 to 25:1 for this school year.

The most recent budget announcement will continue this positive trend of improving class sizes this school year. Statistics on this will be published later in the year. The staffing schedule, which now stands at a historical low, will help to ensure better teacher retention in primary school and that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher. Significant improvements have been made in terms of pupil-teacher ratio, looking from 2016 through to 2021. It has been a considerable achievement that we are at an historically low level of 25:1.

I appreciate and know from experience that there are always opportunities to do more. I am committed to doing all we can to reduce that further. We have a significant budget and will have a further budget coming before us in October. There will be considerable negotiation involved in that but there is a strong commitment under the programme for Government to address the issue of pupil-teacher ratio further.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I acknowledge the investment made by the this Government and that which preceded it. Our core objective needs to be that no child should leave primary school not being able to read and write. Children need to be supported to do that, yet statistics show that up to one in ten children into that category. These larger class sizes result in less teacher time for each pupil and, while I accept that the pupil-teacher ratio has come down, we still have a significant number of pupils in large classes. I urge the Minister to ensure this is reflected in the budget investment. Not just that, we need investment to support teaching principles and in the context of capitation.

I will give an interesting figure in relation to the area of disadvantage. Looking at students in large classes of 30 or more, 10% of urban band 2 DEIS pupils fall into that category and, in rural DEIS, nearly 12% of pupils fall into those larger class sizes. Something needs to be done.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the Deputy's acknowledgement of the progress made to date. I know from my experience in the classroom the importance of continuing to pursue this direction. I reiterate the strong Government commitment to doing that. It is worth repeating that 25:1 is an historic low in our schools.

A budget of €8.9 billion is significant, particularly when one looks at other Departments, and shows the priority that is placed on education. We are further resourcing schools this year through the class programme, which is to provide additional learning support in schools. We have made provision for additional teaching hours for schools this year, specifically as a Covid measure. For example, an 800-pupil school will have 900 hours, which is one and a half full posts for a school year.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I have raised this matter on a number of occasions since the Minister's appointment and I will continue to do so. The 2019-20 statistics for my constituency show that in County Galway, one in five pupils were in classes of more than 30. In County Roscommon, it was one in six. I do not believe that is good enough. We need to see priority given to the investment required in primary education to reduce those very large class sizes and ensure every child can fully participate in the education system and, when they leave it, in society as a whole, which has long-term dividends for us all.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I do not disagree with the Deputy about the importance of the issue. In the past year we have made significant inroads in this area. A further commitment is that we are making available to schools additional teaching resources in terms of teaching and learning for pupils, who may even more so this year have felt disadvantaged because of Covid. That is significant. An 800-pupil school will get 900 hours, which is 51 weeks teaching or one and a half full posts for a year. It is a significant additional investment in our schools.

Equally, I would point to the three-point reduction that was brought in as a consequence of the budget last year which allowed for the retention of a teacher within a school. I am very cognisant of the importance of this. I think substantial progress has been made but, as always, we are committed to doing even more. Our commitment here is not to be underestimated.