Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the once-off reductions in new enrolments in junior infants in some schools in 2021 due to Covid is now resulting in a reduction in teaching posts for the coming 2022-2023 school year despite a recovery in the numbers seeking enrolment, potentially leading to classrooms being left empty while students are unable to find a school place, and if he has plans to prevent same. [15396/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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 30th September.

Budget 2022 progressed the ongoing major investment in our primary education sector which impacts positively on the staffing in primary schools by providing a further 1 point reduction for the 2022/23 school year so that primary schools will be allocated teaching posts on an average basis of 1 classroom teacher for every 24 pupils in September 2022. This brings the staffing schedule to a further new historical low for primary schools.

Staffing arrangements for the 2022/23 school year will be published shortly and schools will be able to establish their staffing for the coming school year.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The staffing arrangements also include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts on developing grounds, using projected enrolment. Details on the process and application form will be available in the staffing circular.