Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing average class sizes in mainstream primary schools by two pupils per class for the period 1 October to 31 December 2026; the estimated cost of maintaining this reduction for a full year, from 1 January to 31 December 2027, with the same detailed breakdown of additional expenditure. [22392/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 €5.6 million from October to December and approximately €22.5 million per annum after that. 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.