Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House this evening on budget 2024, and in particular to highlight some of its key features for children, young people and their families. This is a hugely progressive budget, which has its heart supporting individuals, families, communities and all sectors of society. In the short time I have, I will speak in particular to the budget benefits for children, young people and their families. Investment in our youngest generation begins with more than €1 billion investment in early years and childcare. This Government has halved the cost of childcare in the past two budgets, ensuring that families receiving even the minimum level of subsidy under the national childcare scheme will receive up to €5,000. Once a child enrols in primary school, they will benefit from the care and expertise of our excellent staff, now employed in their highest numbers ever. A capital budget of almost €1 billion is intended to ensure that every child has access to an appropriate school place, and that schools can benefit from building upgrades and modernisation.

As of this school year, all children enrolling in primary school receive all books and classroom resources free of charge. This has reduced costs for families significantly, and ensures every child can enter the classroom on a level footing. I am pleased to have secured additional funding under budget 2024 to roll this scheme out for all junior cycle students. Funding of €67 million will be made available to underpin this measure, which will deliver an average saving for families of almost €1,000 over the course of their junior cycle career. Combined with 568,000 students benefiting at primary level, this will bring to almost 800,000 the number of students in receipt of free books and classroom resources.

The Department of Education's €10.5 billion budget also provides for an additional 1,200 special needs assistants, SNAs, and 744 special education teachers, ensuring that children who need additional care and support can access this, whether in a special school, class or mainstream setting. The Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, will give further details of the initiatives within special education.

An additional €5 million is also provided under budget 2024 to continue our provision of mental health supports within primary schools, charting new territory and ensuring students are adequately supported to meet their fullest potential. Exam fees are also waived for junior cycle and senior cycle pupils. Funding has also been secured to help to defray school transport costs for families. Of course, I am more than conscious that our ambitious agenda and the dreams we have for Irish children and young people cannot be fulfilled without the hard work, dedication and sheer talent of our staff. That is why I have secured more than €81 million in additional grant funding for schools, which will be paid on a per capitabasis. I have also secured funding to increase by 1,000 the number of posts of responsibility in our schools, providing much-needed support to school leaders.

In recognition of the challenges facing us in teacher supply, I have secured additional funding for new upskilling programmes and to provide a €2,000 grant to professional masters in education students on completion of their training. Access to free hot school meals has also been extended thanks to further investment under budget 2024, which sees the scheme expanded to include 900 additional primary schools. Families will receive a double child benefit payment of €280 before Christmas, and 18-year-olds will now be eligible to receive this payment if they are still in full-time education. Significant funding has also been provided to broaden access to further and higher education, and to reduce fees for families. These are just some of the measures which give a sense of the Government's investment and commitment to children, young people and their families.

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