Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, like other colleagues, met INTO representatives yesterday. It was a very fruitful engagement. When the representatives come to see us, they usually come to us with what I would describe as very reasonable requests. The average class size at primary level in Europe is 20. Our average is 23. Over the past three or four years, significant progress has been made – I believe our average was once 26 – but the INTO is asking that we reduce it by two, to 21, in the upcoming budget. We would all support that. If we can make class sizes small, it will give teachers a much better opportunity to create the type of learning environment we want to see in our schools.

Issues arise concerning posts of responsibility that have not been fully restored. I was quite surprised by this because I had assumed they had been. Some have been, but not all. The request in this regard is very reasonable considering that FEMPI measures and so on are being stood down.

The INTO representatives also raised the issue of the capitation grant and the fact that the capitation grant for second level students is almost double that for primary level students. When there is a rise in capitation grants, it is usually across the board. Therefore, if there is a 10% increase, it means a 10% increase for both primary and secondary students. However, there is a case for a once-off increase, above and beyond what might be done in general, for primary schools because their costs and challenges are much the same as those at second level. This needs to be considered.

The three requests are reasonable. I would like the Leader to convey INTO's views to the Minister for Education ahead of the budget negotiations.