Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Darren O’Rourke TD, has called on the government to take immediate action to address the issue of very large class sizes, after the latest figures released to him showed that 1,637 primary school classes across the state have more than 30 pupils.
Teachta O’Rourke said:
“The information released to me shows that there were 1,637 primary school classes across the state with more than 30 pupils in 2023/2024, the latest year figures are available for. This is completely unacceptable. It is a direct result of the government’s failure to adequately invest in our education system and to deliver on its commitments to reduce class sizes and improve the pupil-teacher ratio.
“Large class sizes have a significant impact on the quality of education our children receive. Teachers are overburdened and it’s impossible for them to give pupils the individual attention they need to thrive. This is particularly concerning at primary level, where the foundations for future learning are laid.
“The government has repeatedly promised to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio and while the overall ratio across the state is now down to 23:1, this is largely due to demographics, and there are still far too many very large classes – 1,637 across the state and 87 in my own county of Meath. Families and educators are being let down.
“Sinn Féin has consistently called for increased investment in education, including hiring more teachers, building new schools, and expanding existing facilities to ensure that every child has access to a quality education in a supportive environment.
“I am urging the Minister for Education to take immediate action to address this issue. This includes delivering on the commitment to reduce class sizes, providing adequate funding for school infrastructure, and ensuring that Co. Meath and other areas with growing populations have the resources they need to meet demand. We know that there is unprecedented demand for school places in Dunshaughlin for September 2025, for example.
“It’s time for the government to step up and deliver the investment and support our schools and pupils urgently need.”
