Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the primary pupil-teacher ratio by one point, two points, and three points. [38584/24]

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the primary pupil teacher ratio by .5 point; one point, and 1.5 points. [38585/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 165 and 166 together.

At primary level, teachers are allocated to schools at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools receive an average allocation of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

Each 1 point reduction in the staffing schedule at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools requires over 400 additional teaching posts, at a cost of approximately €7.5 million in the first year and in excess of €22.5 million per annum after that. The salary costings will rise in line with the Public Sector Pay Agreement 2024-2026. The estimated one-off capital cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at primary level is circa €25 to €35 million. This estimated cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.