Like previous speakers, I raise the issue of teacher losses. I am asking for the intervention of the Tánaiste regarding Our Lady of Lourdes National School in Slieverue, County Kilkenny, where the incoming junior infants class for September 2026 is expected to consist of 34 children taught by a single teacher following the loss of a teaching post. The school has successfully operated smaller junior infants classes in recent years. As the Tánaiste knows, research consistently shows that the greatest benefits of smaller classes come in the very early years of education. Despite these concerns, the school's appeal to retain the teaching post was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. I ask the Tánaiste to urgently engage with the Department of education to review this decision and explore any available mechanism to retain or restore the teaching resource needed to support these children. Every reasonable effort should be made to ensure that 34 junior infants are not required to spend their first year of school in a single class. It is obviously a national issue because I am the third and fourth speaker to raise a similar issue today. The intervention and help of the Tánaiste would be much appreciated.

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