Written answers

Wednesday, 27 June 2012

Department of Education and Skills

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied notwithstanding the ongoing economic situation that he can maintain class sizes insofar as is possible within tolerable limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31242/12]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The staffing schedule is the mechanism used for the allocation of classroom teachers to all primary schools. It operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. My Department publishes annual statistics on class size data for each school. The most recent statistics are for the 2010/11 school year. The national average class size is 23.9 pupils. The statistics for the current 2011/12 school year are due to be published in September 2012.

However, with over 20,600 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level. My Department's guidance to local school management is that such variations should be kept to the minimum.

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