Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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358. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools in Longford and Westmeath that will from September 2026, be forced to have mixed year classes due to loss of a teacher. [29008/26]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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. Teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools have also been improved and now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

The primary school staffing arrangements for the 2026/27 school year are set out in Circular 0025/2026. The allocation process for the 2026/27 school year is currently underway and will not be finalised until the Autumn, when the staffing appeal and projected enrolment processes have been completed.

The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is 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.).