Written answers
Thursday, 6 November 2025
Department of Education and Skills
Pupil-Teacher Ratio
Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context
248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current pupil–teacher ratio in primary and secondary schools located in the Dublin 3, Dublin 5, Dublin 7, and Dublin 9 areas; the way in which these ratios compare with the national averages, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60919/25]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The table below shows the requested data, primary pupil teacher ratio (PTR) by county for academic year 2024-25. It is not possible at this time to calculate the PTR below county level nor can it be accurately calculated at post-primary level due to ETBs allocating teachers across multiple counties.
Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to aim to reduce the general pupil teacher ratio (class size) at primary level to 19:1 over the term of government and introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes. This will build on the progress which has been made by the previous Government. The general average of pupils to teachers in the Primary Staffing Schedule improved from 26 : 1 five years ago to 23 : 1 for the current school year, the lowest ever ratio at primary level. More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. 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.
2024/25
| Primary | Primary Allocated Posts | Enrolments | PTR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow | 533 | 7454 | 14.0 |
| Cavan | 697 | 9798 | 14.1 |
| Clare | 996 | 13132 | 13.2 |
| Cork | 4690 | 61025 | 13.0 |
| Donegal | 1433 | 19028 | 13.3 |
| Dublin | 10051 | 135040 | 13.4 |
| Galway | 2270 | 29869 | 13.2 |
| Kerry | 1206 | 15924 | 13.2 |
| Kildare | 1935 | 29283 | 15.1 |
| Kilkenny | 713 | 10655 | 14.9 |
| Laois | 790 | 10890 | 13.8 |
| Leitrim | 281 | 3940 | 14.0 |
| Limerick | 1749 | 22180 | 12.7 |
| Longford | 429 | 5277 | 12.3 |
| Louth | 1242 | 16789 | 13.5 |
| Mayo | 1122 | 14792 | 13.2 |
| Meath | 1761 | 25840 | 14.7 |
| Monaghan | 563 | 7990 | 14.2 |
| Offaly | 800 | 9474 | 11.8 |
| Roscommon | 612 | 8022 | 13.1 |
| Sligo | 528 | 7545 | 14.3 |
| Tipperary | 1398 | 18148 | 13.0 |
| Waterford | 1004 | 13771 | 13.7 |
| Westmeath | 827 | 11240 | 13.6 |
| Wexford | 1325 | 18033 | 13.6 |
| Wicklow | 1247 | 17240 | 13.8 |
Due to some posts, such as substitute panel contracted posts, spanning over multiple counties, these figures may not be exact.
PTR on our annual indicators report is calculated at national level using the overall allocation figure which includes, not just mainstream primary but also special schools, home school liasions and other allocated posts which may not be attached to one specific school and therefore cannot be attributed to a particular county.
Enrolments are not static or confined to counties, e.g. a student may live in one county and attend school in another county. Therefore the connection between enrolments by county and PTR or other measurements are not based on the school going population of that county.
No comments