Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 June 2026
276. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the upper limit for student to teacher ratio per classroom; if this is taken into consideration when allocating teachers to a school; if this information is considered in appeals by schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48433/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally.
Class sizes in schools are affected by a variety of factors including enrolment fluctuations and accommodation available.
Schools are best placed to determine the appropriate numbers in any class and so the configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level.
The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account. School authorities should also, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.
