Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 1408: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students at junior and senior cycle in secondary schools in classes of 30 or over; the numbers at junior and senior cycle in classes of 25 or over; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29809/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The specific information requested in relation to class size at post primary is not readily available within my Department. However, in relation to teacher allocations for second level schools the following is the general position.

Allocations are approved by my Department on an annual basis in accordance with generally applied rules relating to recognised pupil enrolment. In general a ratio of 18:1 is applied in respect of recognised pupils on established Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, repeat Leaving Certificate and Transition Year Programmes and a ratio of 16:1 is applied in respect of recognised pupils on the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, Post leaving Cert courses and Leaving Cert Applied.

Each school management authority is required to organise its curriculum, teaching time-table and subject options having regard to pupils' needs within the limits of its approved teacher allocation. 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 1996/97 school year to 13:1 in the 2005/06 school year.

The rules for allocating teaching posts provide that where a school management authority is unable to meet essential curricular commitments, my Department will consider applications for additional short term support.

An independent Appeals Committee is available to school authorities who wish to appeal the adequacy of their teacher allocation.