Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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583. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if primary education measures, to reduce class sizes, increase school funding, support inclusive education and strengthen rural schools (details supplied) can be prioritised in Budget 2026. [49132/25]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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584. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if primary education funding requests have been put forward by her Department to reduce class sizes, increase school funding, support inclusive education, and strengthen rural schools (details supplied) in advance of Budget 2026 preparations. [49133/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 584 together.

In the lead up to the Budget, my Department receives a number of pre-budget submissions from a range of different stakeholders in the education sector and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy including the INTO's pre-Budget submission. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2026.

In recent years, the Government has made significant strides in strengthening the education system. This includes increased capitation funding for schools, the allocation of thousands of additional teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, enhanced supports for school leadership, smaller class sizes, targeted measures to address teacher supply, and the provision of free schoolbooks at both primary and post-primary levels to ease financial pressure on families.

Looking ahead to Budget 2026, my priority remains to continue delivering on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government and to support students, staff, and families across the education sector. As I am sure the Deputy appreciates, it would not be appropriate for me to outline any more specific plans at this stage of the budgetary process.