Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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461. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in the event that the pupil-teacher ratio were reduced for junior and senior infants to 20:1, the number of new teachers that would be required; the cost to the Exchequer of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37836/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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).

A significant amount of analysis would be required to provide an indicative estimate for the costings requested by the Deputy. It is not possible in the time available, to undertake such an analysis. This information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it can be gathered.

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.