Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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851. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans for the future employment of teachers taken on due to the large influx of students arriving here, escaping the invasion of Ukraine; if they will be retained by their present schools; if the pupil teacher ratio will be adjusted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59587/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring that every child's experience in school is positive and that they have qualified, engaged teachers available to support them in their learning is a priority area of action for the Government.

The recruitment and appointment of teachers for teaching positions is managed by individual school authorities. There are over 3,700 individual school authorities, responsible for this process, including boards of management at primary and post-primary schools, as well as Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

To address teacher supply challenges that exist in some schools and subject areas I have introduced a range of measures. I recently announced that teachers will be able to gain permanent roles more quickly and also approved regulations to allow teachers who qualified overseas to undertake their induction in the State.

Additionally, my Department is about to launch a STEM bursary scheme, has expanded and is considering a further expansion of upskilling programmes, and is developing a strategic workforce plan for the school workforce. Also, substitution measures to help schools cover absences have been extended to the next school year.

There are more qualified teachers than ever working in schools nationwide, with over 79,000 currently employed in the Irish education system (43,000 primary, including special schools and 36,000 in post-primary based on an analysis of March 2025 teacher payrolls).

As of 23 October 2025, there are 17,279 Ukrainian students in Irish schools, representing a 1.2% decrease compared with September 2024. Of these, 10,123 of these are in primary school and 7,156 in post primary school. 1,056 whole-time equivalent posts in English as a Second Language (EAL) teaching have been made available for the 2025/26 school year. This allocation supports the educational needs of all students for whom English is not their first language including those students arriving from Ukraine.

It is acknowledged that, overall, the number of children enrolled in primary schools across the country is declining, although some areas experiencing population growth remain exceptions to this trend. This demographic change has implications for teacher numbers at school level.

The allocation of teaching posts to primary and post-primary schools is determined by the staffing schedule. This is designed to operate in a clear and transparent way, ensuring that all schools are treated equally, regardless of their location.

Priority was given in recent Budgets to reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. A three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.

The Government has significantly invested in our schools and in our teacher workforce in recent years. There has been significant increases on teaching posts, outpacing student population growth in both primary and post primary schools. Between 2018/19 and 2024/25, the number of teaching posts has increased by 11,752 with 5,866 (15.7%) in primary, and 5,886 (20.7%) in post-primary. Further teaching posts in the special education sector were provided in recent budgets in 2024/25 and in the current school year 2025/26. Additionally, Budget 2026 has seen an increase of 1,042 teacher posts, including 860 additional teachers working across various Special Educational Needs settings.

Through Government investment in recent years, the general average of pupils to teachers in the Primary Staffing Schedule improved from 26:1 five years ago to 23:1 for the current school year; the lowest ever ratio at primary level. The Programme for Government commits to make further progress in this area with an aim to reduce the general Pupil Teacher Ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of government. I look forward to making progress on this important issue.

The staffing schedule is an allocation mechanism that uses enrolment bands to determine the number of classroom teaching posts allocated to a school. This is a long-standing arrangement for allocating teaching posts to our primary schools in a fair and equitable way based on their respective enrolment. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally, irrespective of location.

In addition, there has been a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which will assist schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. This measure helps to ensure better teacher retention in primary schools while also ensuring that fewer pupils are required to retain or recruit a teacher.

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 teacher allocation process for the 2026/27 school year is scheduled to commence in early January 2026, following the collation of enrolment returns from September 2025. At that stage, schools will be able to determine their mainstream teacher entitlement in accordance with the staffing arrangements which will be set out in the 2026/27 staffing circular.

The teaching profession is highly attractive, with strong demand for teacher education programmes with 3,600 newly qualified teachers registered in 2025.

CAO first preference data showed continued increases in teaching programmes of 9% in primary and 5% in post-primary at the closing deadline in February of this year.

Salaries are competitive, currently starting at €44,879 (primary) and €46,448 (post-primary) and rising to €85,000 under the current pay deal.

These measures, and the achievements to date reflect my commitment to developing our education system. I am considering further measures to strengthen the teaching workforce and ensure that schools have the support needed to provide an excellent education for every student.