asked the Minister for Education the plans he has to lower the pupil-teacher ratio.

As stated in paragraphs 3.7 and 5.11 of the Programme for Action in Education 1985-87, the Government is committed to improving pupil-teacher ratios as soon as financial circumstances permit.

While the financial circumstances at present do not permit general improvements to be made my Department is continuing to allocate some additional posts, including remedial and guidance posts, to schools in areas of special need.