Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of pupils in primary schools in County Kerry in class sizes of less than 20, between 21 and 30, 31 and 40 and greater than 40; the average pupil-teacher ratio in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37331/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should be aware that significant improvements have been made in the pupil-teacher ratio and in average class size in recent years at primary level. The most recent figure available for average class size at primary level refers to the 2003-04 school year, when the average class size was 23.9, down from 26.6 in 1996-97. The pupil teacher ratio at primary level, which includes all the teachers including learning support and resource teachers, has fallen from 22.2:1 in the 1996-97 school year to 17.1:1, projected in 2004-05. As I indicated in my statement on the recently published estimates, I have secured sufficient funding to provide even smaller classes in our primary schools in the next school year. The Minister for Finance has committed to a further reduction in class size in the following year.

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

To ensure openness and transparency in the system an independent appeal board is now in place to decide on any appeals on mainstream staffing. The criteria under which an appeal can be made are set out in Department primary circular 19/02 which is also available on my Department's website.