Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2024
185. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education the number of approved teacher posts in primary schools in each school year since 2015-2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43721/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJust over 43,000 teachers have been allocated in respect of the current school year 2024/25, for which the allocation process has not completed yet.
In previous budgets, I have prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
The 2023/24 educational statistical report shows that the average pupil teacher ratio at primary level last year was 12.8:1, while the average class size was 22.5. These ratios, brought about by recent budget improvements, are the lowest averages across the last 20 years.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/055810-education-statistics/#latest-statistical-reports
|
Indicator Description |
Unit of Measure |
Level |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Number of primary Teachers |
Number |
Primary |
34,576 |
35,669 |
36,773 |
37,341 |
37,839 |
38,604 |
40,351 |
41,623 |
42,680 |
|
of which mainstream teaching teachers |
Number |
Primary |
21,724 |
22,152 |
22,430 |
22,747 |
22,970 |
23,460 |
23,572 |
23,596 |
23,818 |
|
of which other teachers |
Number |
Primary |
12,852 |
13,517 |
14,343 |
14,594 |
14,869 |
15,144 |
16,779 |
18,027 |
18,862 |
