Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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316.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an appeal submitted by a school (details supplied) regarding the proposed loss of a mainstream post; to provide a timeline for its completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25232/24]

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 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 appeal submitted by the school referred to by the Deputy has been deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board, as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the appeal criteria published in Circular 0011/2024. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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317.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills regarding a school (details supplied), if the Minister is aware of a teaching hours allocation appeal submitted by this school; if the Minister will take into account the increased enrolments currently, which now include 21 new-entrant pupils; if the Minister will approve the school’s appeal to allow for the employment of an English language teacher on a fixed-term contract of 25 hours per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25254/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has adapted to the dynamic landscape of student enrolment. This has been particularly effective in the context of the pace and volume of newly arrived students fleeing the war in Ukraine and the ongoing increase in students, who require EAL supports to fully access the curriculum.

The Department has prioritised enhancing English as an Additional Language (EAL) support, recognising the critical role of language proficiency in successful integration and academic achievement.

These supports to schools, based on application process, are provided for new-entrant pupils (i.e., pupils arrived in the country in the last 2 years with an EAL requirement). Similar to previous years, supports may also be provided for schools with a high concentration of pupils that are not classified as new-entrant pupils but who have an EAL need i.e., those pupils with less than 3 years EAL support and register less than B1 in an English proficiency test.

The Department's policies enable flexible resource allocation to ensure that the resources follow children in the event of them changing schools. Schools may also apply for further language support by an application process during the school year, should their circumstances change.

The school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the June meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board and the result of this appeal will issue to the school in the coming days.