There is a shortage of Gaelscoil places for September 2026 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath. There are anywhere between 15 and 30 children, some with offers from other schools but who want an Irish-medium education and want a Gaelscoil place. The demand is there. The willingness is there on behalf of the Gaelscoil, the board of management, the bishop and patron body. The Taoiseach's ministerial colleagues, Helen McEntee and Thomas Byrne, are very familiar with this issue. However, the block is with the Department, the Minister and the wider Government. They will not sanction an extra class and an extra teacher. I ask the Taoiseach to intervene and ensure that an extra class and teacher are put on for these children for September.

I cannot get involved in every single application. I am not clear about what Deputy O'Rourke is saying. Is it an application for an extra classroom?

Yes.

Teachers come automatically if the numbers increase. There is a pupil-teacher ratio that applies automatically if numbers increase in any given school. I doubt it is a question of the sanctioning of a teacher. Maybe because so many people want to get into the school it does not have the capacity right now, but that is another issue and maybe it needs to be resolved with the Department. I will raise it with the Minister.

Deputy O'Rourke can write further. I call Deputy Duncan Smith.