Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of class sizes in primary schools. The Department of Education and Skills recently launched a report, which gives a school-by-school breakdown of class sizes for the 2016-2017 academic year, and it makes for grim reading. A total of 120,000 primary school children are in classes of more than 30. On average, almost one in four primary pupils is in a class of more than 30. Among the worst areas in the country are Monaghan, Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Wexford and Meath, to name but a few. The Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, recently accused the Government of failing in its commitments regarding this issue. It should be noted also that Ireland has the second largest class sizes in Europe. That makes modern-day teaching practices in schools almost impossible. It is not fair on the students and it is certainly not fair on the teachers. This issue needs attention. I ask that the Leader bring it to the attention of the Minister for Education and Skills so that adequate funding can be allocated to ensure that this very important issue would be addressed for the benefit of our schoolchildren who will be the adults of tomorrow.