I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to again raise this issue. I acknowledge the Minister's presence in the Chamber to address it. I am talking about three schools, two of which are jointly located and a third that is some miles distant from that group. The schools that are jointly located are second level schools and the one by itself, in a place called Kilshanroe-Carbury, is a national school. The problem is that the national school is about to lose a teacher. It had five teachers but will end up with four. The difficulty is it is a small school and the numbers have burgeoned since last year. It barely had the numbers with just 107 pupils on the roll in September 2021. This year, however, it already has 112 pupils. This will now place an extra burden on the teachers, especially their ability to give of their best in a demanding situation. There is at least one situation whereby two children with autism will have to share a classroom with more than 30 children, which is not suitable for the other children or those who require a special autism unit. No such unit is available in the area.
I understand the usual appeal has been made in this case but it has been refused. In view of the fact that children with autism are involved, as is the loss of a teacher who will be replaced again next year, I do not see the logic in it. The Minister has vast experience in this area. It goes without saying she would be equally knowledgeable and, it is to be hoped, sympathetic to reviewing the issue once again as it affects the school, with a view to a favourable outcome.
Two second level schools are located on the same Maynooth campus. It was a ground-breaking, and long and dedicated, effort on the part of parents, boards of management, etc. when they sought to place both schools on the same site. They share recreational and many other facilities. It is a big school campus. Approximately 2,000 students attend both schools.
It is important to note that, whatever indications were given during the initial negotiations about an extra teacher in line with the criterion of 1.5, a teacher is about to be lost as well. This is a high-density area with a rapidly growing population. Following the extensive negotiations between the parents, boards of management and previous Ministers, an indication was given that there would be a derogation so as to ensure that there would be an extra teacher, but the schools will lose a teacher in the current year.
The pressures are obvious, including population size and the need to cater for so many students at the one location, which the schools are doing successfully. The pressures merit further evaluation by the Minister. I do not want to tell her, or suggest to her, how she should do her job - she is well versed in this area - but I ask that she give full consideration to the question.