Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by 1 point at primary level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31786/25]

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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374. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by 1 point at second level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31787/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 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. The current pupil teacher ratio at post-primary level is 19:1 for schools in the free education system, and 23:1 for schools in the fee-paying schools.

Each one 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 €22.5 million per annum. At post primary level a one point reduction would create circa. 1,200 additional teaching posts at a cost of approximately €66 million per annum. 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, while at post-primary level it is circa €60 to €75 million. This estimated cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.