John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the pupil numbers and staffing compliment in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; the number of and the location where there are classes over 30 in size; the average number per class nationally; the average number per class in this school; if she will clarify the position in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27222/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The staffing of a primary school for a particular school year is determined by reference to the enrolment of the school on the 30th September of the previous school year and by reference to a staffing schedule. This staffing schedule for the 2006/07 school year is outlined in Primary Circular 0023/2006 which was issued to all primary schools.

As the Deputy will be aware, major improvements have been made in primary school staffing in recent years. Next September there will no less than 4000 extra teachers in our primary schools, compared with 2002. Not only is the average class size in our primary schools down to 24, but there is now one teacher for 17 pupils at primary level, including resource teachers etc.

Children with special needs and those from disadvantaged areas are getting more support than ever before to help them to make the most of their time at school.

Indeed, with the thousands of extra primary teachers hired by this Government, recent years have seen the largest expansion in teacher numbers since the expansion of free education. Over the next two school years even more teachers will be put in place both for the above priority areas of disadvantage and special education and also under a reduction in the mainstream staffing schedule.

As you know all schools are staffed on a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 29 children. Of course, schools with only one or two teachers have much lower staffing ratios than that — with two teachers for just 12 pupils in some cases and so on — but the general rule is that there is at least one classroom teacher for every 29 children in the school. Next year this is being reduced to 28 children per classroom teacher and in 2007/2008 it will be reduced to 27 children per classroom teacher.

So, as I have pointed out the general rule in the current school year is that at least one classroom teacher is provided for every 29 pupils. Furthermore, the actual average class size nationally is 24.

With regard to the schools referred to by the Deputy, the following is the position for the 2005/2006 school year: In school number 1 there are 454 pupils and 16 mainstream class teachers, giving an average class size of 28.38. Two classes in the school have 31 pupils.

In school number 2 there are 461 pupils and 16 mainstream class teachers giving an average class size of 28.81. Four classes in the school have 32 pupils.

As a result of the improvement in the staffing schedule school number 2 will have an additional mainstream class teacher for the 2006/07 school year with a consequential reduction in the average class size in the school.

This Government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to improving staffing in our primary schools by hiring thousands of extra teachers in recent years and we will continue to make progress on this issue.