Conor D McGuinness: Kilrossanty school losing teacher over snapshot
Conor D McGuinness raises the case of Kilrossanty National School in County Waterford, a rural DEIS school set to lose a teacher because of an enrolment snapshot taken last September that no longer reflects current pupil numbers. He warns that relying on a fixed reference date risks overcrowding, larger class sizes and inadequate provision for children with additional educational needs.
Immediate issue
Conor D McGuinness describes how Kilrossanty National School recorded 102 pupils on the snapshot date in September 2025 but now has 111 enrolled for the coming year. Despite this increase, the school faces the loss of a teacher under rules tied to that single enrolment reference date.
Impact on pupils and classrooms
McGuinness outlines the practical consequences: multi-grade classes with up to 31 pupils, three classes taught in one room by a single teacher, and children with additional educational needs affected by rising class sizes. He presents the school’s appeal and frames the case as more than a single school problem.
Wider context across Waterford and the state
The deputy links Kilrossanty National School ’s situation to pressures across County Waterford and nationally: rural schools at risk, closures, overcrowding and staff shortages. He asks whether the current snapshot system is fit for purpose for allocating teaching resources.
Government response and next steps
The Tánaiste acknowledged the system can be rigid but said there must be a system in place and expressed openness to alternatives. He invited details to be sent so Minister can respond, signalling a possible review or follow-up on the Kilrossanty appeal and the snapshot mechanism.
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I want to raise the situation of Kilrosinti National School in County Waterford, a rural deaf school that is set to lose a teacher in September based on an enrolment snapshot taken at the end of last September that no longer reflects reality. The school had 102 pupils on that day last September 2025. It actually had several more pupils join the school after that snapshot, but has 111 enrolled for the coming year, well above the threshold yet is still losing a teacher based on that snapshot. This will mean class sizes have up to 31 in multi-grade groupings, including three classes in one room with one teacher, and that includes children with additional educational needs. The school has appealed, but it points to a wider problem. Across Waterford, across the state, schools are under pressure. Rural schools are at risk. One is closed in County Waterford, others are overcrowded and many are lacking staff. Do you accept, Tánaiste, that relying on that one snapshot is not a good way to do business, is not a good way to make an assessment, and that fixed reference date is no longer fit for purpose? Thanks very much, Deputy McGuinness. I accept there can be rigidity in it, but I also balance that by the fact that there has to be some system. Is there a better way of doing it? I'm open to considering that. I do believe there are appeals mechanisms and an understanding that it's meant to exist in the system, but if you want to send me on those details in relation to that school in your constituency, I'll ask Minister Nocton to come back to you.
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