Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 75: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the steps she will take to address the issue of overcrowding in classrooms resulting in high pupil-teacher ratio; the extent to which the pupil-teacher ratio here compares with adjoining or EU jurisdictions; if she has had discussions with various school authorities with a view to identifying the areas currently having the highest pupil-teacher ratio; her plans to address this issue in the short to medium term; if she expects the pupil-teacher ratio to improve in the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41380/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 is the pupil enrolment at the 30 September of each year. While the staffing schedule allocates on the basis of an average number of pupils each individual school decides on how to arrange its classes. The latest available international comparisons as published in Education at a Glance 2010 relate to 2008. A direct comparison is not easily done due to differences in methodology used in different countries. This OECD publication shows the pupil teacher ratio for Ireland at primary level at 17.8 compared to the OECD average of 16.4. The pupil teacher ratio for Ireland at post-primary level is 12.8 compared to an OECD average of 13.7. The Government is currently working on the estimates process for December's budget. We will also be setting out in some detail our budgetary plans for the next 4 years. It is only by taking the difficult decisions now that we can ensure that our economy returns to growth again. This will put the delivery of our public services on a more sustainable basis rather than on our current reliance on borrowed money. My Department cannot give any guarantees in relation to budgetary impacts on education. Clearly, my Department as one of the large spending Departments will have to play its part in the budgetary process. However, as a Government we will be doing our best to minimise the impact for front-line public services.