26. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on pupil teacher ratios of classrooms in primary education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54062/26]

The Government is investing a record €14.1 billion into education and schools through Budget 2026.

This record level of investment has allowed the Government to invest in tackling educational disadvantage and supporting those with special educational needs to achieve their full potential. It has enabled huge investment in the school buildings programme, in curriculum reform, in school leadership and in continuous professional development for teachers.

Under the Programme for Government there is a commitment to aim to reduce the general pupil: teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of the Government and introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes.

This will build on the progress which has been made by the previous Government. The general average of pupils to teachers in the primary staffing schedule improved from 26 : 1 five years ago to 23:1 for the current school year. Average class sizes in primary schools have improved from 24.1 to 22.2 through the investment we are making in schools.

The Department’s primary staffing schedule is the key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level. This school year, the primary staffing schedule operates on a general average of 23 pupils to every 1 teacher, which is historically the lowest-ever ratio of pupils to teachers at primary level.

More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.

The numbers employed in our schools have now reached the highest-ever level. Teacher numbers at primary level have increased by almost 6,000 between 2019 and 2025. This has led to a steady improvement in both the pupil : teacher ratio and in average class size statistics during this period.

The latest figures in relation to the pupil: teacher ratio show an improved ratio of pupils to teachers, improving from 15 : 1 to 12.8 : 1 at primary level, when comparing the 2019/20 school year to the 2023/24 school year. This compares favourably with the OECD pupil : teacher ratio of 14 : 1.

I am very conscious of the primary staffing schedule and the need to prioritise teacher allocations in primary schools.

I am considering how best to make further progress as part of the annual budgetary process in reducing the primary pupil : teacher ratio in the context of Programme for Government implementation.