Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to improve pupil-teacher ratio at all second level schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8296/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio at post-primary level in recent years. The ratio has fallen from 16:1 in the 1996 to 1997 school year to 13.6:1 in the 2003 to 2004 school year.

In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to improve pupil-teacher ratios at all primary schools throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8297/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Significant improvements have been made to the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, which has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996 to 1997 school year to 17.44:1 in the 2003 to 2004 school year.

In line with Government policy my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil-teacher ratio within available resources and subject to spending priorities within the education sector. Priority will be given to pupils with special needs, those from disadvantaged areas and those in junior classes.