Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in primary schools by one pupil, two pupils, three pupils, four pupils, five pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12189/16]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in schools with DEIS status by one pupil, two pupils, three pupils, four pupils, five pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12192/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together.

The Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level.

Budget 2016 provides for a one point adjustment to the staffing allocation to primary schools, which will be implemented for the 2016/17 school year. This will see the primary staffing schedule operate on the basis of a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 27 pupils. Lower thresholds apply for DEIS Band 1 schools, ranging from 20:1 to 24:1 depending on the type of school. The pupil teacher ratio in the current school year is 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils. Staffing arrangements for the 2016/17 school year are available in Circular 0007/2016, which is published on the Department website.

Each 1 point adjustment to the staffing schedule is estimated to cost between 250-300 additional posts, at a cost of circa. €15 million-€18 million.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio in post-primary schools by one pupil, two pupils, three pupils, four pupils, five pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12190/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Teacher allocations to all second level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on my Department's website.

Each one point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio (ptr) at post-primary level is estimated to cost in the order of 1000 teaching posts (i.e. €63 million).