Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school classrooms of 30 pupils or more, and their locations, for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024; the measures she is taking to reduce the number of very large classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5410/25]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of primary school classrooms of 30 pupils or more in County Meath in each of the past five years; the measures she is taking to reduce the number of very large classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5411/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

Please find attached requested data.

In previous budgets, reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools was prioritised 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 assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. Teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools were also improved, 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.

The data provided is based on mainstream classes in mainstream primary schools and are collated from the relevant Class Size tables published on the department website and can be found at the link below;

www.gov.ie/en/collection/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/

Please note that 2023-2024 is the most recent year we have final published class data for on the department website.