198. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 8 July 2026, and in view of the primary staffing appeals board's decision, to provide funding for a fixed term contract for a mainstream class teacher at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53818/26]

The staffing schedule is an allocation mechanism that uses enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to a school. This is a long-standing arrangement for allocating teaching posts to our primary schools in a fair and equitable way based on their respective enrolment. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location.

The staffing arrangements for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026. That circular contains information and application forms on the staffing appeals process, where schools may appeal their staffing allocation to the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The appeal submitted by the school was unsuccessful. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

The appeals process allows that where there has been a change in the circumstances of the school since the appeal, a school may submit a new appeal. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board will meet again in October.