Eoin Hayes
Question:441. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Youth 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. [45052/26]
View answerTuesday, 16 June 2026
Questions (441)
Written answers
At primary level, classroom teachers are allocated to schools at a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils. In DEIS Band 1 schools, teachers are allocated at a lower ratio, at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively. Each one point reduction in the staffing schedule at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools requires between 350 and 400 additional teaching posts, at an approximate cost of €28 to €32 million per annum. Salary costings will rise in line with pay agreements.
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.