The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has reopened the debate on class sizes by arguing that the decline in the number of students sitting the Leaving Certificate presents not a crisis, but a "golden opportunity" to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio at second-level.
An article in the latest edition of the TUI News states that while nearly 25 per cent fewer students will sit the Leaving Certificate in 2007 than 11 years ago, this will provide an opportunity to reduce second-level class sizes.
This is because existing teacher levels can be used to lower the pupil-teacher ratio in classes as the school-going population gets smaller.
And as the decline in population is expected to begin to be reversed by the end of the decade, this could then be maintained for future pupils, serving to raise the "educational attainment of the entire population by at least one step".
Earlier this week, the Minister for Education and Science, Ms Hanafin, conceded that the Government's pledge to cut primary class sizes to 20 by 2007 will not be met.
This was because insufficient numbers of teachers were being trained to meet the target, she said, figures which many in the education sector have since disputed.
However, recent OECD figures revealed that for every 1,000 students, there are just 59.5 teachers and other academic staff here, compared to an OECD average of 72.9.
Last year it was revealed that thousands of places in schools in the Dublin area remained unfilled, partly due to falling population levels.
This has led to the closure of several well-known schools in Dublin and beyond, including Belcamp College off the Malahide Road, and Presentation College, Glasthule.
According to Mr Paddy Healy, president of the TUI, if the number of students in second-level schools falls, this will provide an opportunity to increase the participation of non-traditional students at third-level.
"There is an unprecedented opportunity here to cut the pupil/teacher ratio in our schools and to maintain this low ratio as the population grows again," he stated.
"This would include implementing new and improved access schemes for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, the recruitment of more mature students and the provision of courses to upgrade the knowledge and skills of those at work."
"Pupils in our schools will receive an even better education with a smaller pupil/teacher ratio . . . it truly is a window of opportunity."
However, the absence of Irish students from traditional backgrounds should not be used as an excuse to replace them with non-EU students, many of whom pay high levels of fees, Mr Healy warned.