105. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to reverse the decision to remove a teaching position from a school (details supplied), given this decision will have a detrimental impact both for the students and the future development of the school. [50294/26]

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 schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally.

The enrolment of the school referred to by the Deputy fell from 381 pupils to 354 pupils, which is 19 pupils below the threshold required to retain the 16th class teacher.  As a result, the school's mainstream staffing is to reduce to 15 in September.

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.