Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to address the issue of high class numbers throughout the educational system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34012/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on my Department's website. In terms of the position at individual school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department for the current school year is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2009. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes.

Pupil numbers at both primary and post-primary level continue to increase and this results in an increased requirement for additional teachers for the foreseeable future. The Deputy will be aware that the renewed Programme for Government commits the Government to no further increase in the pupil teacher ratio in primary and second level schools for the lifetime of this Government and also the provision of 500 additional teaching posts between primary and second levels over a three year period.