124. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the status of a staffing appeal by a school (details supplied) based on an increase in numbers during the school year which brings the school over the threshold for an extra staff member; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26634/24]

The 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 process contains 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 referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0011/2024. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.