Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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47. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider a proposal by a teachers' union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26437/24]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider a proposal by a teachers' union (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26438/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 48 together.

Budget 2024 has provided for an unprecedented €10.5 billion investment in Education and Schools in Budget 2024 which includes an increase of €421 million in core current funding, as well as over €80 million in core capital funding. These additional funds build on significant increases in recent budgets and further enhance the investment in Ireland’s primary and post-primary education system. The significant increased investment is the largest Education budget in the history of the state and reflects government’s commitment to a quality inclusive school system and improved learning outcomes for every student.

The numbers employed in our schools will reach the highest ever level in the current school year. Currently there are over 42,900 teaching posts allocated across the primary school system. This represents an increase of just over 5,000 teachers when compared with the 2019/20 year when I took up office.

In three of the recent budgets, I prioritised reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools, by one point each year, which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the lowest level ever seen at primary level. A three point reduction in the retention schedule, which I introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts. I also improved teacher allocations for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools which now stand at an average of 17:1, 21:1 and 19:1 for junior, senior and vertical schools respectively.

As well as general teaching posts improvements, a new leadership framework introduced in 2017 allows for flexibility in identifying and prioritising the evolving leadership and management needs of schools. This shared leadership model supports school leaders in the overall management and operation of schools. It provides for the assignment and re-assignment of post holders to specific roles and responsibilities to meet a school’s evolving needs. Today, 1 in 3 primary school teachers hold management positions. In budget 2024, I provided for an additional 500 posts of responsibility (Assistant Principal II) for the 2024/25 school year.

Any further improvement will have to be considered in the context of the overall budgetary process.