Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio at primary level in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [48297/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Budget 2018 marks the second year of major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, which has the central aim to make the Irish Education and training service the best in Europe within a decade.

Budget 2018 provides for an additional 1280 teaching posts in the 2018/19 school year. This includes a one point improvement in the staffing schedule in primary schools which brings the position to the most favourable ever seen at primary level.

These changes will come into effect in September 2018 for the 2018/19 school year.

It is expected that this one point improvement in the staffing schedule when implemented in September 2018 will further improve the overall ratio of teacher to students. The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15.7:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2016/17 school year.

The increase in teacher numbers in the current school year as a result of Budget 2017, will be reflected in the ratio of teachers to students when this information is published at the end of the school year.

Each 1 point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule is estimated to cost in the region of €16.5m per annum.