I raise the situation of Kilrossanty National School in County Waterford. It is a rural DEIS school that is set to lose a teacher in September based on an enrolment snapshot taken at the end of last September that no longer reflects reality. The school had 102 pupils on that day in September 2025, but several more pupils joined the school after that snapshot. It has 111 enrolled for the coming year, well above the threshold, yet it is still losing a teacher based on that snapshot. This will mean class sizes of up to 31 in multigrade groupings, including three classes in one room with one teacher, and that includes children with additional educational needs. The school has appealed.

This points to a wider problem. Across Waterford and the State, schools are under pressure, and rural schools are at risk. One has closed in County Waterford, others are overcrowded and many lack staff. Does the Tánaiste accept that relying on that one snapshot is not a good way to do business or make an assessment, and that the fixed reference date is no longer fit for purpose?

I accept that there can be rigidity, but I also balance that with the fact that there has to be some system in place. Is there a better way of doing it? I am open to considering that. I believe there are appeals mechanisms, and an understanding is meant to exist in the system. If the Deputy sends me the details of the school in his constituency, I will ask the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to come back to him.