To ask the Minister of Education what her Department views as the optimum class size for each year from 1 to 7; and what factors are considered when making such a determination.

I would like to see a reduction in pupil:teacher ratio in schools in the North because the PTR has a key role to play, in particular for teachers in schools with significant proportions of disadvantaged pupils, in enabling them to have smaller classes so that they can deal with barriers to learning; give individual help to pupils; or work in small groups.

This is why I have made available extra funding, outside the common funding formula arrangements, to ensure that, from September 2008, classroom assistants are provided for Foundation Stage pupils in all primary schools.

Policy on class sizes is determined having regard to the fact that the quality of early learning is vital to later educational progress. For this reason the Department of Education’s policy has been to keep classes for the youngest children at 30 or fewer pupils. The policy was initiated in 1998 and applies to all pupils at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 (i.e. years 1-4).

Creidim go bhfuil sé iontach tábhachtach go laghdaítear méideanna ranga. Leis seo a dhéanamh, tá gá le mórinfheistíocht a fháil ón Choiste Feidhmiúcháin agus tá mé ag súil go mór le tacaíocht a fháil ó mo chomhghleacaithe ar an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin i dtaca leis an cheist seo.

I believe it is very important to reduce class sizes, this will require additional resources to be invested by the Executive and I look forward to my colleagues’ support on the Executive in relation to this.