Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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175. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of each one point reduction in class size at primary level; the staffing schedule at primary level; the national pupil teacher ratio; her views in relation the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23012/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The annual staffing schedule determines the allocation of teachers to schools. For the current school year, it operates on a general average of 26 pupils to every 1 teacher (26:1) which is historically the lowest ever allocation ratio at primary level.

Budget 2020 has provided for a budget of more than €11 billion for the Department of Education and Skills in 2020. This is the highest ever allocation to the sector and an increase of nearly €2 billion since 2016.

Teacher numbers at primary level have increased by almost 3,500 when comparing the 2015/16 school year with the current school year and this has led to a steady improvement in the pupil teacher ratio and average class size statistics during this period.

The latest figures in relation to pupil teacher ratio show an improved ratio of teachers to students from 16:1 to 15:1 at primary level when comparing the 2015/16 school year to the 2019/20 school year.

Each one point adjustment to the primary staffing schedule would cost approximately €14.5m.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio at DEIS primary schools to 15:1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23013/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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In the 2020/21 school year there are 3,108 mainstream primary schools. Each 1 point adjustment to the overall primary staffing schedule is estimated to cost in the region of €4.7m in the first year and €14.3m for the full year.

As the Deputy is aware, there are 689 primary schools participating in the DEIS programme. Under DEIS, a reduced class size is applied to all 229 Urban Band 1 primary schools with the application of a staffing schedule to DEIS Band 1 schools to accommodate class size of 20:1 at junior classes and 24:1 at senior classes. This is in line with the objective of supporting those schools with the highest levels of disadvantage.

A reduction in class size in all DEIS schools would be a change in policy and create a new element to the staffing schedule of enrolment of pupils governing the appointment and retention of mainstream class teachers.

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 ;

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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177. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at post-primary level; the staffing schedule at post-primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23014/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Teachers are currently allocated to post primary schools at a ratio of 19:1 in the free education system and 23:1 to schools in the fee charging sector. Approximately 1,150 teaching posts would be required for each 1 point adjustment on the post-primary side. Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level is estimated to cost in the region of €18.66 million in the first year and €55.5m per annum thereafter.