Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on whether pupil-teacher ratios of 20:1 or less are accepted internationally as best practice and that most of Ireland's EU neighbours have achieved this level; the reason only 10% of primary school classes here meet this ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35770/08]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 606: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether Ireland's position as the sixth from bottom country in the OECD for pupil-teacher ratio is unacceptable; if the programme for Government's aim of a 24:1 pupil-teacher ratio will be reached in 2008; his views on the fact that this ratio fails to meet the EU average of 20:1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35771/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 and 606 together.

Significant progress has been made in the last ten years in increasing the number of teachers in our primary schools.

The number of teaching posts in primary schools in June 1997 was approximately 21,000. The number in September, 2008 is over 31,000 which is an increase of over 10,000.

The average primary class size for the 2007/08 school year was 23.9 down from 26.6 in 1996/97. The pupil teacher ratio — which includes resource teachers etc.- was 16:1 compared to 22.2 in the 1996/97 school year.

In the 2006/07 year, schools were staffed on the basis of a general rule of at least one classroom teacher for every 28 children. This represented a decrease in the overall class size by reference to the staffing schedule from 35:1 in the 1995/96 school year to 28:1 in the 2006/07 school year.

Given the current volatile and challenging economic climate, difficult choices have to be made in order to contain public sector spending. Tax revenues are down significantly and Government expenditure has to reflect this reality. These decisions included an increase in the enrolment bands of the staffing schedule for the allocation of teachers in primary schools from an average of one teacher for 27 pupils to an average of one teacher for 28 pupils. DEIS schools will continue to benefit from lower class sizes.

The most recent Irish data on class sizes shows average class sizes for 2007/08 at 23.9 pupils. The most recent published statistics for the OECD average class size is 21.5 pupils. While I recognise the importance of class sizes it must also be noted that many other issues such as the quality of our teachers impact on the standard of education in our schools. We will continue our focus on measures to improve the quality of education in our schools to ensure that the best possible outcomes for our children are achieved.