Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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406. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if under the small schools scheme or an extension of such a scheme, the fourth teacher at a school (details supplied) can be maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54591/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The staffing schedule for primary schools is designed to ensure fairness and consistency in the allocation of teaching posts, having regard to enrolment numbers.

In relation to the specific school referred to by the Deputy, the allocation of a fourth teacher is determined in accordance with the staffing schedule for the relevant school year. Where a school's enrolment falls below the threshold required to retain a post, there is provision for an appeal under the staffing appeals process. This process allows schools to seek the retention of a teaching post in certain exceptional circumstances, including where enrolments are expected to increase in the following year.

The government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities. The programme for government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including introducing a new national small schools' project and trialling new administrative supports.

The current small schools' project is currently being implemented on a pilot basis to support collaboration and sharing of resources among small schools in rural areas. For the duration of the project existing mainstream staffing levels in the participating schools are being maintained.

Learnings from the evaluation of the current small schools' project will be invaluable and will form a strong basis to inform the future policy direction in relation to all small schools. This will include the development in my department of future proposals to deliver on the programme for government commitment.