Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence, (details supplied), regarding the teacher-pupil ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20711/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The staffing arrangements for the 2014/15 school year (Circular 0007/2014) were published on 24 January, 2014. 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 currently operates on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.

The Department publishes annual statistics on class size data for each school. The most recent statistics are for the 2012/13 school year. The national average class size is 24.7 pupils. However, with over 20,800 classes in over 3,100 primary schools throughout the country there will always be variations in class sizes at individual school level. The Department's guidance to local school management is that such variations should be kept to the minimum.

The staffing arrangements include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in Circular 0007/2014. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.