Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
370. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth If this principal can be given consideration for retaining her administrative time by 80% even though her enrolment has increased and an ASD class has commenced and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68152/26]
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 enrolment in the school referred to by the Deputy fell from 184 in 2024 to 151 in 2025 and so the mainstream staffing allocation was reduced by one teacher, and the school no longer qualifies for an administrative principal position.
The allocation of an administrative principal is enrolment based. In order to retain the administrative principal post, the school's enrolment would have needed to be 166 or more last September.
Teaching principals receive one day per week for administrative duties, a total of 37 in the year. Schools operating one special class receive an additional four days so the total principal release allocation for the school is 41 days per year.
