Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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986. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that a school (details supplied) will not be able to run enough transition year classes to accommodate all of its pupils in the upcoming school year due to a lack of resources; her views on the impact this might have on the education and stress levels of pupils who are expected to go directly to fifth year despite not choosing to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20515/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Teacher allocations to all schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. The criteria for the allocation of posts are communicated to school managements annually and are available on the Department website.

A proportion of posts allocated to post-primary schools are determined on the basis of ratios of recognised pupils to teachers for the various approved programmes including Transition Year. The pupil teacher ratio (PTR) applicable in respect of Transition Year pupils is equal to the PTR applicable in respect of pupils enrolled in the Junior and Leaving Certificate programmes.

The deployment of teaching staff in the school, the range of subjects and programmes offered are in the first instance a matter for the school management authorities.