Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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613. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional assistance can be provided to a rural DEIS primary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18240/23]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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614. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the support that will be provided to a school (details supplied) whose enrolment has increased by 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18241/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 614 together.

My Department provides specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language.

The school referred to by the Deputy has an allocation of 15 hours per week based on the number of new entrant pupils enrolled, as set out in the NE-EAL application form.

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 process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. Information on the appeals process and application forms are available in Circular 0006/2023.

My Department has considered the issue of schools wishing to increase the hours of school secretaries. Where the school has reasonable need for additional hours based on increases in pupil numbers or classes, or a similar reasonable business case, an increase will be accepted. The approach to allocations of secretarial support once staff are on the payroll system is also being considered.