Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
401. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a school in Bray (details supplied) missed the enrolment quota for an additional teacher by one student and will now lose a teaching post resulting in a single class of 39 students; if she will instruct her Department to reconsider this decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36077/25]
View answerThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally.
The primary school staffing arrangements for the 2025/26 school year are set out in Circular 0011/2025. These arrangements contain an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal submitted by the school was unsuccessful as the school is not projecting sufficient enrolment to retain the post. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.).
