Written answers

Thursday, 24 October 2024

Department of Education and Skills

School Staff

Photo of Cathal CroweCathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of approved teacher posts in primary schools in each school year since 2015-2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43721/24]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Just over 43,000 teachers have been allocated in respect of the current school year 2024/25, for which the allocation process has not completed yet.

In previous budgets, I have prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

The 2023/24 educational statistical report shows that the average pupil teacher ratio at primary level last year was 12.8:1, while the average class size was 22.5. These ratios, brought about by recent budget improvements, are the lowest averages across the last 20 years.

Indicator Description Unit of Measure Level 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Number of primary Teachers Number Primary 34,576 35,669 36,773 37,341 37,839 38,604 40,351 41,623 42,680
of which mainstream teaching teachers Number Primary 21,724 22,152 22,430 22,747 22,970 23,460 23,572 23,596 23,818
of which other teachers Number Primary 12,852 13,517 14,343 14,594 14,869 15,144 16,779 18,027 18,862

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