Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a one-point reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level. [36350/14]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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243. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a one-point reduction in the pupil-teacher ratio for the first four years at primary level. [36351/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.

Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The staffing schedule at primary level operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils. More favourable ratios operate in DEIS schools.

Each one point adjustment to the current 28.1 schedule at primary level is estimated to cost of the order of 250 posts (€15m). An adjustment relating to the first four years at primary level is estimated to account for circa 50% of this cost (€7.5m).

Given the current budgetary environment there is no scope in the short term to consider improvements to pupil teacher allocation ratios. My Department's focus for the foreseeable future is on targeting any additional resources to cater for the continuing increase in demographics at all levels in the education system.