1560. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated annual cost of reducing the mainstream primary pupil-teacher ratio by one point; the number of additional teaching posts required to achieve this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64024/26]

At primary level, classroom teachers are allocated to schools at a general average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils. In DEIS Band 1 schools, teachers are allocated at a lower ratio, at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

Each one point reduction in the staffing schedule at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools requires between 350 and 400 additional teaching posts, at an approximate cost of between €9.3 and €10.7 million in the first year, and €28 to €32 million per annum thereafter. Salary costings will rise in line with pay agreements.

The estimated one-off capital cost of reducing the pupil teacher ratio by one point at primary level is circa €25 to €35 million. This estimated cost is based on certain assumptions regarding the number of new teaching posts generated and available accommodation capacity.