Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

407. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will restore funding to primary schools to pre-recession levels as part of Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43325/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My aim for Budget 2022 is to continue to deliver on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government, to meet demographic and other pressures in the school sector and to support and sustain our schools, their staff and our students in the face of the ongoing significant challenges posed by COVID-19.

Over recent budgets, additional resources have been made available to our schools, including through the delivery of thousands of extra teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, increased capitation in schools, enhanced supports for school leadership and an improved staffing schedule in primary schools. This is in addition to the significant COVID-19 financial resources provided to allow schools to operate in accordance with the latest public health guidance. 

In looking at the competing demands for Budget 2022, I will have regard to the level of resources which will be available to my Department, in the context of the continuing need for the Government to manage the economy and the public finances particularly in the context of the challenges posed by COVID-19. I will formulate specific budgetary priorities, having regard to the views of the education partners and all concerned stakeholders.