Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
430. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the average primary pupil-teacher ratio and the average primary class size for the 2024-2025 school year, as recorded in her Department's most recent educational statistics; the way in which these figures compare with the previous school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44989/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average class size for academic year 2024-2025 was 22.2, while the pupil-teacher ratio was 12.8. The corresponding figures for academic year 2023-2024 were 22.5 and 13.0 respectively.
Priority was given in recent Budgets to 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 most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. Teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools have also been improved and now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.
In 2015, teachers were allocated to primary schools at a general average of 28 pupils for every one teacher. In the same 10 year period, average class sizes in primary schools have improved from 24.9 to 22.2 and the pupil:teacher ratio shows the ratio of pupils to teachers improve from 16:1 to 12.8:1. In addition to the reductions in the teacher allocation ratio, a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
