Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she expects to be in a position to improve pupil-teacher ratios over the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40011/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools and measures announced in Budget 2021 will implement this.

Primary schools are currently provided with class teachers on the basis of one teacher for every 26 pupils which is at its historically lowest level. Budget 2021 will implement a further 1 point reduction for the 2021/22 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 25 pupils. In addition, there has been a three point reduction in the retention schedule. This measure will help ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that less pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.

Further improvements in the pupil teacher ratio will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.