Written answers

Wednesday, 10 July 2019

Department of Education and Skills

Pupil-Teacher Ratio

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated first full-year cost of decreasing the pupil-teacher ratio in DEIS schools by one point respectively for both primary and secondary schools; the current staffing ratios for DEIS schools in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30337/19]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the criteria used for the allocation of teaching posts is published annually on my Department’s website.

In the 2018/19 school year there are 3,106 mainstream primary schools of which 698 (22.47%) are participating in the DEIS Programme.

Each one point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule is estimated to cost in the region of €13.5m per annum.

Appendix A of Circular 19/2019 sets out the schedule of enrolment of pupils governing the appointment and retention of mainstream class teachers and is available on my Department’s website at the following link ;

www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/circular-0019-2019-appendix-a.pdf.

In relation to post-primary schools, I wish to advise the Deputy that in the 2018/19 school year there are 722 post-primary schools of which 198 (27.42%) are participating in the DEIS Programme.

Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level is estimated to cost in the region of €63m per annum.

A pupil teacher ratio of 19:1 is applied to all second-level schools in the Free-Education System. DEIS post-primary schools are allocated an enhanced guidance provision. The relevant Circulars governing the staffing arrangements for post-primary schools for the 2019/20 school year are available on my Department’s website at the following link:

www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/Teacher-Allocations/Teacher-Allocations-Post-Primary.html.

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