Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools with three mainstream teachers that, based on the enrolment figures of September 2023, are due to lose a teacher for the 2024-25 school year based on the current teacher retention requirement in their school; the number of schools with two mainstream teachers that, based on the enrolment figures of September 2024 are due to gain a teacher based on the present teacher-pupil schedule in their school; whether, in view of the data available, she intends adjusting the pupil-teacher ratio downwards for the 2024-25 school year to ensure rural schools can continue to provide a high level of education in their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16976/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Due to improvements brought about in recent budgets, the teacher allocation ratio is at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.

The staffing of a school is based on the staffing schedule for the current year and enrolments on the previous September. Of the 407 schools with Principal and 3 mainstream teachers, 26 are due to have a teaching post suppressed for the 2024/25 school year on the basis of falling enrolments as relayed to the Department on the September 2023 returns. There are 362 schools with Principal and 2 mainstream teachers, 5 of which are due to gain a post for the 2024/25 school year. Staffing allocations for the 2024/25 school year will not be finalised until the Autumn when the staffing appeals process has completed and provisional posts are confirmed.

Any further improvement in the teacher allocation ratio would have to be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.