Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 813: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the commitment in the 2002 programme for Government to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in our schools, the reason the average class size in a school (details supplied) remains at 29:1; when the progressive introduction of maximum class guidelines in this school will begin; if at least one additional teacher will be appointed to this school in time for the school year beginning September 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9985/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The mainstream staffing of a primary school is determined by applying the enrolment of the school on 30 September of the previous school year to a staffing schedule, agreed between my Department and the education partners.

The system for allocating teachers to primary schools is based on ensuring an overall maximum class of 29:1 in each school. Where some classes in a school are greater than 29:1, it is generally because a decision has been taken at local level to use their teaching resources to have smaller numbers in other classes.

In accordance with the staffing schedule, the staffing of the school referred to by the Deputy for the school year 200-05 is a principal and eight mainstream class teachers based on an enrolment of 236 pupils at 30 September, 2003. In addition, the school has one full-time resource teacher and the services of a shared learning support teacher.

The Department will finalise the staffing schedule for the 2005-06 school year shortly and thereafter notify school boards of management. According to data submitted to the Department by the board of management, the enrolment on 30 September 2004 in the school was 235 pupils. The staffing for the 2005-06 school year will be determined on the basis of this figure and in accordance with the agreed staffing schedule.

Significant improvements have been made to the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level, which has fallen from 22.2:1 in 1996-97 to 17.44:1 in 2003-04. 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.