139. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Youth the actions being taken to ensure schools are adequately resourced to meet growing enrolment demands over the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40694/26]

The numbers employed in our schools have now reached the highest-ever level. More than 43,000 teachers are employed in our primary schools. This represents an increase of just over 5,000 teachers when compared with the 2019/20 year and this has led to a steady improvement in the pupil teacher ratio and average class size statistics during this period.

In 2015, teachers were allocated to primary schools at a general average of 28 pupils for every one teacher. This has been improved to 23:1, with lower thresholds in place for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. In the same 10 year period, average class sizes in primary schools have improved from 24.9 to 22.2 and the pupil : teacher ratio shows the ratio of pupils to teachers improve from 16:1 to 12.8:1. In addition to the reductions in the teacher allocation ratio, a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. Further progress on this matter will be considered as part of the annual budgetary process.

Within the staffing arrangements, there are options available to schools to apply for additional staffing. Schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. There is also a staffing appeals mechanism for schools to apply to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board, under certain published criteria.