Written answers

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the impact of the new 19:1 student-teacher ratio for further education in a college (details supplied) in Dublin 10; his views on the impact to the college regarding the proposed deployment of 18 teachers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the new ratio may equate to the loss of 10 teaching posts, but it may actually remove 20% of the teaching staff, because most are not on full-time hours; if he will provide an analysis of the impact of these changes on the college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39825/13]

Photo of Ciarán CannonCiarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The college referred to by the Deputy is an approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) from funding provided by my Department.

Budget 2013 provided for the regression in the pupil teacher ratio for PLC courses from 17:1 to 19:1. Some alleviation of the reduction in teaching posts was allowed as a transitional measure following a review of all impact statements received from ETBs including CDETB. CDETB sought to retain a total of 13.33 posts in order to minimise the impact of the reduction on learners and on the provision of courses. The ETB has been allowed retain 10 whole time equivalent teaching posts for the 2013/2014 academic year.

Any issues the college has relating to its teacher allocation should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of CDETB.

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for any changes to the pupil-teacher ratio at primary, secondary and further education levels in budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39826/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The budget for education, including the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget. The decisions in relation to such matters will be announced at budget time.The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.

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