Irish primary classes 'second highest in Europe'

The average size of Irish primary school classes is the second highest in Europe, according to figures compiled by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.

The organisation said there was an average of 24 pupils in each Irish primary school class, compared to just 17 in Greece and 15 in Luxembourg.

It also said that primary school classes in Ireland were largest in Co Kildare, where the average number of pupils is 27, followed by Co Meath and the Fingal and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown areas of Dublin.

The smallest classes were found to be in Mayo, Longford and Leitrim, where the average is about 21.

The INTO said the figures showed that the Government had a lot of work to do to meet its commitment to reduce average class sizes to 20.