Class sizes at schools in Ireland could be affected by the €50 million abuse compensation bill facing the Department of Education, it has been suggested. 

Labour TDs have expressed concern that the issue might lead to class numbers increasing, due to the fact the department is under pressure to keep to its budget at a time when education cuts of up to €100 million are in the pipeline, the Irish Independent reports.

The €50 million bill relates to paying victims of abuse in industrial schools - and Labour TDs have privately laid some of the blame at the feet of religious orders that are yet to contribute extra funding to pay for the cost of this compensation.

Labour Dublin North West TD John Lyons explained huge savings are required where the education budget is concerned, adding: "We would be exceptionally concerned about the pupil-teacher ratio."

The comments come as figures have revealed that 121,000 primary school children are currently in classes of 30 or more children - something that has been dubbed 'supersize' classes. 

Written by Donal Walsh

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