Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

575. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which provision is ongoing to reduce class sizes and to improve pupil-teacher ratios in 2016; if specific targets are being set; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26398/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

581. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which provision is ongoing to reduce class sizes and to improve pupil-teacher ratios in 2016, with particular reference to County Kildare; if specific targets are being set in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26404/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 581 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 operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location. At primary level, it currently operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for an average of every 28 pupils, with lower thresholds for DEIS Band 1 schools.

My focus in Budget 2015 was on obtaining the additional funding that was necessary to provide for demographic growth. The last Budget included an increase in spending on education for the first time in recent years, amounting to additional funding of €60m during 2015. This funding will be used to provide 1,700 additional teachers and SNAs for our schools, as well as to fund prioritised reforms, such as implementation of the literacy and numeracy strategy, reform of junior cycle, and the introduction of education focussed pre-school inspections. The improvements in the Primary Staffing Schedule for small schools which I announced in February last are the only changes that I will be making to the staffing arrangements for schools for the 2015/16 school year.

The staffing process for the 2016/17 school year at individual school level will be initiated early in 2016. It is not possible at this stage to advise on the staffing arrangements for the 2016/17 school year.