Almost a third of Irish school pupils are now in 'supersize' classes of over 30 children.
The latest figures from the Department of Education show schools in the commuter belt of Dublin, and neighbouring counties, are the worst-affected - with classrooms in Cork and Waterford also higher than average.
The number of pupils in classes of 30 or more has risen to over 121,000 in the last year - up by almost 25,000 since 2011.
President of the Irish National Teachers Organisation Brendan O'Sullivan says that figure will only increase further if there are more cuts:
Other statistics showed the average class size across the country is now just under 25 - slightly above last year's figure but still far in excess of the EU average of 20.
There is an increase of 10,000 pupils in primary schools and a smaller increase of 3,800 studnets in second level schools.
However, the number of primary and secondary schools funded by the Department of Education and Skills has decreased.
247 more teachers have been appointed to primary schools here but there are 434 less at secondary level.
Those changes have caused a change in the pupil:teacher ration from 24.4 to 24.7.
The National Alliance for Primary Education group comprised of management, parents, teachers and principals has meanwhile expressed their concerns over continued budgetary cuts, "The National Alliance believes that any attempt to bluntly cut primary education is essentially a direct attack on children and their constitutional right to education. The group believes that the children of today and tomorrow should not be forced to pay for the country’s current financial troubles."
