385. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school's (details supplied) application to retain their 11th mainstream teacher remains unresolved more than a month after submission; whether she has fully considered the impact of these staffing reductions on class sizes and educational provision; the options which exist to prevent classes of over 30 pupils in the school in September 2026; whether additional flexibility can be applied in cases where schools are supporting significant levels of additional educational need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49283/26]

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 arrangements for primary schools for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026. The staffing arrangements include a projected enrolment process, whereby schools experiencing significant increase in enrolment may apply for additional mainstream staffing. An additional classroom teacher is allocated on a provisional basis, pending confirmation that the school reaches the required enrolment on the 30 September.

The projected enrolment application from the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved and the school has been advised of a staffing of Principal and 11 classroom teachers for the 2026/27 school year, pending confirmation of enrolments on 30 September.