Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the announced reduction in pupil teacher ratio will be introduced for the coming school year, where a school could potentially loose a teacher, only to be forced to recruit additional teachers the subsequent year, due to significant population growth in the area, and given the difficulties of recruiting teachers. [17153/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to aim to reduce the general pupil teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of the government and introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes.

The current teacher allocation ratio stands at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in 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 are at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

While staffing allocations to primary schools are based on the enrolment of the previous 30 September and the staffing schedule in place at the time, there are options available to schools to apply for additional staffing. Schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. There is also a staffing appeals mechanism for schools to apply to an independent Staffing Appeals Board, under certain published criteria.

I am considering how best to make further progress as part of the annual budgetary process in reducing the primary pupil teacher ratio in the context of Programme for Government implementation.