A national teachers' union has hit out at figures showing a reduction in class sizes from the Department of Education.

The Department said the ratio of pupils in classes of more than 30 decreased from a quarter to a fifth between 2006 and 2007.

However, INTO General Secretary John Carr, said the decrease was an attempt by the Government to cover up its failed target of fewer than 20 pupils per class.

"These figures show failure not success," said Mr Carr, "The fact remains that more than 100,000 pupils, many of them infants starting school for the first time tomorrow will be in classes of more than thirty.

"Parents will not be taken in by these government figures and will see the reality of large class sizes themselves when they take their children into school tomorrow morning."

Meanwhile, Irish Education Minister, Batt O'Keeffe has announced 7,000 new school places this year, following 26 major building projects in a €100 million construction programme.

Minister O'Keefe said: "I am delighted to see the fruits of these efforts as we provide a record number of school places for our children."

Although the Minister failed to quell mounting concern there were not enough teachers to cope with the growing school numbers, saying class size is also a matter for the management of individual schools.

(DW)