My question to the Taoiseach relates to page 86 of the programme for Government with regard to the 3,137 primary schools in the State. There is a very clear commitment to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in junior and senior infant classes. We all know that the research shows a huge and very positive impact on children in their further education, staying in education and in their job prospects when the pupil-teacher ratio is reduced. There is another impact in the retention numbers for teachers. I was in two primary schools in the Curragh last week where excellent teachers are working in very difficult conditions, which I have already raised with the Minister for Defence. We have teaching principals, one of whom has three classes - fourth, fifth and sixth. They are both losing teachers this year. If the pupil-teacher ratio were reduced, this would have a positive impact and these schools could retain teachers.

I will ask the Minister for Education and Skills to respond to the Deputy on that.

I thank the Deputy for her question. The pupil-teacher ratio was reduced from September 2016 so it has been reduced for this current year. In this year's budget we addressed other issues, namely, the expansion of the new resource teaching allocation for children with special educational needs. The question was also asked by Deputy Connolly around disadvantaged schools. Each year we look at the moneys available and allocate them to education priorities. I assure Deputy O'Loughlin that class size, disadvantage, special educational needs, guidance counselling and the issues we have discussed many times in committee remain high priorities.