Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

I thank Deputies Ó Muirí and Heneghan for raising this important issue regarding the staffing of primary schools, particularly the teacher allocation to Belgrove infant girls' school and Scoil Mhuire in Howth.

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 primary staffing arrangements for the 2025-26 school year are set out in Circular 11/25. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location. It is an important feature of the staffing schedule that all schools are treated equally and fairly.

Under the programme for Government, there is a commitment to aim to reduce the general pupil-teacher ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of the Government and introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes. This will build on the progress made by previous Governments. The general average of pupils to teachers in the primary staffing schedule improved from 26:1 five years ago to 23:1 for the current school year, the lowest ever ratio at primary level. Teacher allocations for DEIS urban band 1 schools have also been improved and now stand at averages of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools, respectively. In addition, there has been a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which has helped schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. Average class sizes in primary schools have improved from 24.1 to 22.5 in that time, while the ratio of pupils to teachers has improved from 15:1 to 12.8:1 with the investment we are making in schools.

The two schools referred to by the Deputies, Belgrove and the school in Howth, are to have a reduction in teaching posts for the 2025-26 school year due to a fall in enrolments. The staffing arrangements include an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain published criteria. The staffing appeals criteria, which are set out in Circular 11/25, include specific appeals for small schools, enrolments in the previous October, projected enrolments, accommodation difficulties, infant class sizes and language support. Belgrove infants girls' school submitted a staffing appeal to the March meeting of the primary staffing appeals board under the projected enrolments criteria. Having considered the staffing appeal from the girls’ school, the primary staffing appeals board determined that the grounds of the appeal did not meet the requirements set out in the circular. The primary staffing appeals board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Class sizes in schools are affected by a variety of factors, including enrolment fluctuations and the accommodation available. Schools are best placed to determine the appropriate numbers in any class. The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are therefore done at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class should be kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account. School authorities should also, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior cycles.

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