Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for and when he will reduce class sizes in primary schools to 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16524/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government has a commitment to reduce class sizes at primary level.

The staffing schedule at primary level currently operates on the basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 28 pupils.

Budget 2016 provides for a one point improvement 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. Staffing arrangements for the 2016/17 school year are available in Circular 0007/2016, which is published on the Department website.

In the next Budget I will consider the best approach to further meeting commitments in the Programme for Government.