Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 659: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average class size in north Tipperary schools; the pupil/teacher ratio in schools in the same constituency; the way it compares with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22416/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Information in relation to average class size and pupil teacher ratio is provided in the annual census of primary schools. The details for the current school year (2008/2009) are currently being compiled by my Department and the final outcome will be available later in the summer. The average class size in North Tipperary in 2007/2008 was 23.2. Pupil Teacher Ratio in respect of all primary schools is currently only available at national level and not disaggregated by county or any other variable. The PTR at first level in 2007/2008 was 16.0.

The Deputy has introduced the issue of comparability of Irish pupil/teacher ratios with the position in schools internationally. I have to say to the House that given the momentous challenges that most countries are facing to cope with economic recession, and in the case of some countries to even maintain financial solvency, raising the matter of educational comparisons misses the point. The first priority for Governments throughout the world at present is to ensure economic survival. Ensuring that public services like education can be maintained at a reasonable level is but a subset of that greater priority of securing national solvency. Without economic and fiscal stability is axiomatic that public services like education will suffer.

The Government is about the business of securing Ireland's future. It is the number one priority. In the budget we tried to shelter education services as best we could. Some changes to how schools are to be staffed from next September were unavoidable. Of course it would be desirable to make improvements as originally intended let alone have to take a step back. However this is a changed world and it would be sheer folly to allow the overall number of teachers spiral upwards as if nothing had changed. I have faith in the quality of our teachers and our schools and in their capacity to deliver as well from September 2009 as they did just over a year ago from a similar level staffing and class size position. We need to come through this difficult period and then and only then can we look at what further improvements we can make in how we staff schools and reduce class sizes.

As the full extent of the global crisis seeps into public consciousness I believe that parents will accept that taking difficult decisions now in order to secure future economic prosperity and secure employment for them and ultimately their children is the first imperative of Government.