Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department will review the current provisions for teacher allocation to schools to avoid or minimise instances where the loss of a teacher necessitates the introduction of multigrade classes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31131/25]

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. At primary level, teachers are allocated to schools at an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. DEIS Urban Band 1 schools receive an average allocation of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

Combined classes are a feature of the majority of primary schools in the country. Circular 0011/2025 sets out the staffing arrangements at primary level for the school year 2025/26. It requests schools to ensure that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible, taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.). The circular also advises that school authorities should, where possible, use their autonomy under the staffing schedule to implement smaller class sizes for junior classes.