Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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49. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he recognises the importance of maintaining smaller class sizes in primary schools as they allow children to have more space physically; if he will provide children with greater access to resources; if he will allow them more time to speak and more direct contact with their teachers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43076/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to schools is published annually on the Department's website. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule 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. The context for any discussion about PTR or class sizes is that my Department, like all other Government Departments, is operating within a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis.

The Government will continue to protect front-line services as best as possible. However, it is important to note that all public servants are being asked to do more with less and the teachers in our schools cannot be exempt from this requirement.

Within the schools sector we know from international research that while class sizes is a factor the quality of teaching is a far more significant factor in determining outcomes. We therefore have to focus on the drivers of good performance. We need to have the right people becoming teachers. We need the right training for them in College. We need to support them with the right professional development throughout their career. To this end we are making significant changes to both the structure and format of initial teacher education so that our colleges and teachers are comparable with the best in the world.