John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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563. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for approval for a teaching post in Kilkenny (details supplied) which was refused will be reconsidered as a matter of urgency as the school staff are under immense pressure currently and face the prospect of having in excess of 30 children per classroom causing serious accommodation issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23380/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 school referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the March meeting of the Appeals Board. The Board deemed the appeal ineligible as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the criteria set out in Circular 0011/2025. The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

The staffing arrangements include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. Information is available in Circular 0011/2025, published on the Department website.