asked the Minister for Education how he proposes to define a disadvantaged area for the purpose of according schools in such areas priority in reducing pupil/teacher rations.

For the purposes of deciding such priorities, disadvantaged areas are being defined as areas in which the educational progress of all or of a considerable proportion of the children is seriously impeded by poor social and economic conditions in their homes and neighbourhoods.

Is the Minister saying that class size has no bearing on educational disadvantage because that was not mentioned specifically in his reply?

The question asked me how I proposed to define a disadvantaged area and I answered that question.

In the Minister's reply he mentioned specifically social disadvantage. He did not mention any question of class size. Would the Minister agree that large class sizes, irrespective of the social and geographic environment of the school, constitute disadvantage, or would he not?

It has nothing at all to do with the question as put down. But I will say to the Deputy that I do think it is a serious disadvantage although, to tie in with the supplementary of Deputy F. O'Brien, the facts are that very often, in such areas-from the statistics I have studies-the pupil/teacher ration is quite good. There fore, it is not exclusively the pupil/ teacher ration.

Arising further from the Minister's reply——

There is another question coming further on from the Deputy on that.

Question No. 25.

Did the Chair call the next question?

Yes, No. 25.

26.