asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of 1980-81 or the previous year if figures are not available for 1980-81 (i) the total number of national school classes with more than (a) 30, (b) 35 and (c) 40 pupils; (ii) the total number of pupils in national school classes with more than (a) 30, (b) 35 and (c) 40 pupils; and (iii) the number of additional teachers which would be required to reduce the maximum class size to (a) 40, (b) 35 and (c) 30 pupils.

The following is the information in reply to parts (i) and (ii) of the Deputy's question in respect of national school classes:

The information requested in part (iii) of the question is not available as a variety of factors is involved related to the distribution of pupils over classes in individual schools, the type of accommodation available and so on.