asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the severe overcrowding in Ballyfermot, Dublin, classrooms; and the proposals he has to increase the number of teachers in this area.

I am not aware that the general situation is as represented in the question. Enrolments over the 12 schools in the area are declining and the overall pupil/teacher ratio is not unsatisfactory.

What is the overall pupil/teacher ratio?

It is quite good.

That is quick judgment, instant decision.

The average size of class, if Deputies are interested—I can see Deputy Bruton is more interested in sniggering at my answers——

Act the Minister, not the teacher.

The Minister will not act the eejit like the Deputy.

The average size of class——

On a point of order, is it in keeping with the high standards of this House for the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach to refer to a Deputy of this House as an idiot?

As acting the eejit.

I am not aware that the reference was made and the Deputy is not now contributing to the high standards of the House.

I am bringing it to your notice, sir. In my hearing the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach referred to a Deputy as an idiot. I am asking the Chair if that is in keeping with the high standards of this House?

I did not hear any such remark.

By way of explanation, I did not describe anybody as being an idiot. I said the Deputy was acting as an eejit. I withdraw the remark. I suppose it was uncomplimentary. It would be more appropriate to somebody else.

I did not hear it.

I was under the impression that people were interested in the pupil-teacher ratio in Ballyfermot. The average size of class in the schools varies from 34.9 in St. Raphael's and the overall average is 31.27. Again, one can have a large class even with the averages reasonably low. There are 16 of the 154 teachers engaged in remedial or project teaching, or have responsibility for special classes with an enrolment of 115. The pupil-teacher ratio would be 34:1 if these categories of teachers are excluded.

Might I ask the Minister if he proposes to declare Ballyfermot a disadvantaged area educationally?

I thought there was one school there into which I could get one of my trainee graduates. Yes.

Would the Minister agree that there is a special remedial problem in Ballyfermot?

It would bring down the ratio considerably in one small school. I have a long brief here about the school. They are fairly well staffed as it is and, as a result of my reduction of the ratio at second level the situation has improved considerably.

It is a pity the Minister did not handle the thing properly.

Would the Minister not accept that, because of the size of the area, and the size of the schools— one school has over 2,000 pupils— there is a particular problem in Ballyfermot?

I think they are great people out there.

They are great people and I have the honour of representing them.

They are marvellous. They are interested in education and they are very helpful.

The Minister may have a long brief on the Ballyfermot school but we have 500 questions on the Order Paper and we are making very poor progress due to supplementary questions being asked on what are actually parochial questions.