Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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571. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of reducing the staff/student ratios in further and higher education by one point, two points and three points. [38893/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question.

Based on latest data available, the cost of reducing the staff/student ratio in the higher education sector by one point is estimated at €77.5m. The cost of reducing the ratio by two and three points is estimated at €166m and €267m respectively. Calculations are based on the 2022/23 higher education sector enrolment figures for full time equivalent students (full and part-time) to all academic staff with an average salary figure of €100,000 used.

Further Education and Training (FET), on the other hand, encompasses a wide range of courses and programmes, ranging from Level 1 to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications, i.e., from basic literacy programmes to apprenticeships. Different levels of engagement are required for the learner depending on their needs and the course requirements, e.g., full-time, part-time, short-term courses etc.

Consequently, it is not possible to give an accurate annual cost of reducing the staff/student ratios in further and higher education by one point, two points and three points.

However, as a high-level exercise and for illustrative purposes only, SOLAS have estimated that the cost of reducing the staff/student ratio in the FET sector by one point is estimated at €40m. The cost of reducing the ratio by two and three points is estimated at €85m and €150m respectively. This is based on PLC/Apprenticeship provision, the latest data available and prior to any further pay increases or back monies. In addition, costs will increase significantly if additional capacity and equipment is required to facilitate the changes in ratios.