Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Seanadóir as an gceist. I thank the Senator for bringing to our attention the concerns of Keadue National School in County Roscommon.

Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government. 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. In the three previous budgets, the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, reduced the pupil-teacher ratios significantly in primary schools, which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of one classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level in the history of the State.

Schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. The school referred to by the Senator was allocated an additional temporary teaching post on this basis for September and October 2023. The enrolment required to retain the post for the remainder of the year was 50 pupils. The school's actual enrolment in September was 48 and the temporary post was to be suppressed at the end of October, but I note the figures provided by the Senator this morning.

The staffing process includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain published criteria, including one specifically aimed at small schools such as the school referred to by the Senator. The school referred to by the Senator has submitted an appeal to the October meeting of the primary staffing appeals board, requesting to retain the additional post under the small schools criteria. The appeal will be considered at the appeals board meeting later this week and the school will be notified of the decision. The primary staffing appeals board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

The Senator referred to the application made to the local SENO in respect of the school. SENOs are responsible for defined geographic areas where they plan, co-ordinate and review the provision of additional education supports to schools. SENOs can be contacted directly using the contact details available on the NCSE’s website. If the Senator’s question refers to special needs assistant, SNA, supports, I remind him that the NCSE has the responsibility for planning and co-ordinating school supports for children with special educational needs. The NCSE has published the SNA allocations for the 2023-24 school year. A school can apply to the NCSE for a review of its SNA allocation if it is insufficient to meet the needs of its students, which is what the Senator seems to be saying this morning. I certainly will take these matters back to the Minister for Education on the Senator's behalf.