Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which optimum pupil-teacher ratios continue to be an objective in primary and secondary level schools, having particular regard to the needs arising from demographic trends; if she takes cognisance of particular areas exceeding the national average in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9300/16]

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 operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

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 published staffing arrangements include the provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment for the following September. Schools experiencing a rapid increase in enrolment can submit an application to the Primary Allocations Section of the Department for consideration for developing school status.

At post-primary level, schools that are experiencing increased enrolments have notified the Allocations section of their projected enrolments for September 2017. Provisional teacher allocations have been made to these schools in respect of these projected enrolment figures, subject to the schools confirming the enrolment in September.