Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at primary level. [23755/23]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil-teacher ratio by one point at second level. [23756/23]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to seek to make further progress in reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools.

In Budget 2023, I ensured major investment in our schools and I have succeeded in bringing the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools for the 2023/24 school year which is the lowest ever seen at primary level. This was my third successive Budget which saw an improvement in allocation of teachers to primary schools. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, in place since 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.

A one point improvement in the staffing schedule at primary level would cost in the region of €20.5m per annum.

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. Each 1 point adjustment to the pupil teacher ratio at post primary level would cost approximately €60.4m per annum.