1495. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of primary school classes in Laois; the number of primary school classes in Laois that are in excess of the EU average of 19 pupils; and will she make a statement on the matter. [63532/26]

For the 2025-2026 academic year there were 481 mainstream classes in County Laois, 346 classes had more than 19 pupils per class.

Data was collated from the 2025-2026 class tables size table which can be found at the link below;

www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/

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 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, 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.

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.