Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to bring about an early examination of the pupil teacher ratio at primary and second level schools throughout the country; if the necessary corrective measures will be taken to bring the ratio here into line with other jurisdictions in which best practice is observed; her views on the urgent need to address this issue at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12991/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Significant improvements have been made in the pupil teacher ratio at both primary and post primary levels in recent years. At primary level, the ratio has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.4:1 in the 2003-04 school year. At post-primary level the pupil teacher ratio has been reduced from 16:1 to 13.6:1 in the same period. In line with Government policy, my Department will continue to provide further reductions in the pupil teacher ratio, with priority being given to pupils with special needs, those from disadvantaged areas and those in junior classes.