1529. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider granting exceptional flexibility under the primary staffing arrangements for a school (details supplied) that is projected to have an enrolment of 135 pupils on 30 September 2026, six pupils below the threshold required to retain its current staffing allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63805/26]

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 include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. The school referred to by the Deputy has been allocated a post on this basis, having advised of an expected enrolment of 156 pupils. The school has been advised that to retain the post, an enrolment of 141 is required on 30 September.

The staffing process also contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. One of the appeals criteria is aimed at schools that receive a projected enrolment post but do not meet the required enrolment on 30 September. Such schools may submit an appeal to the October meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board. Information and application forms are available in Circular 0025/2026.