Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

403. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to address issues raised in correspondence regarding the urgent needs of teachers, particularly in primary and special schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57016/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the lead up to the Budget, my Department received a number of pre-budget submissions from a range of different stakeholders in the education sector, including the INTO's pre-Budget submission, and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions are reviewed, and these inform the areas for consideration that are negotiated as part of the annual budgetary process and within set fiscal parameters.

Over the past number of years, the Government has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to strengthening our education and youth sectors. 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, increased funding for youth services and the provision of free schoolbooks at both primary and post-primary levels to ease financial pressure on families.

I can confirm that Budget 2026 provides an increase of €845 million in current funding to my Department's Vote, in addition to an overall €1.6 billion in capital funding that was previously secured through funding from the revised National Development Plan agreed earlier this year . This brings the overall allocation for my Department in 2026 to €13.1 Billion. The additional funding builds on the significant increases in recent budgets and further enhances the investment in Ireland’s education and youth sectors. The significant increased investment is the largest education budget in the history of the state and reflects the government’s commitment to a quality inclusive school system and improved learning outcomes for every student.

The 2026 Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year, as follows:

• A significant increase in school funding with state funding per pupil – known as the capitation rate – increasing from €224 to €274 per student in primary schools and from €386 to €406 per student in post-primary schools. Over the last three Budgets this has resulted in an increase in the level of mainstream capitation rates of almost 50% paid to primary schools and 29% paid to post-primary schools.
• Funding for 1,717 additional SNAs, bringing the total number of SNAs in schools to almost 24,900. This is the highest ever-number of SNAs allocated supporting the care needs of children in mainstream, special classes and special schools.
• Funding for 860 additional teachers for special education working in special classes and special schools, as well as special education teachers in mainstream settings, to support children with special educational needs. In total, there will be over 46,500 dedicated staff working in schools in 2026 to support children with special educational needs.
• The National Development Plan in 2026 will support progressing the delivery of over 300 school building projects currently at construction with the majority expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027. It is also envisaged that circa 80 school building projects will progress to construction across 2026 and 2027 as part of two-year rolling programme. There will be a strong special education dimension which will include facilitating the establishment of circa. 3,000 additional school places in special classes and special schools for the 2026/27 school year primarily through the repurposing of existing capacity.
• The Programme for Government 2025 commits to the introduction of an Education Therapy Service (ETS), with additional €16 million allocated in 2026, to continue the roll out of school therapy within special schools and extend it into mainstream schools. This will help to ensure all children and young people have access to essential speech and language and occupational therapy in a timely manner.
• Funding of €48 million has been secured to implement a new Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools (DEIS) Plus scheme, commencing in September 2026 to support pupils and students at the highest risk of educational disadvantage and at risk of educational disadvantage in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools through a new DEIS Plan.
• Over €69 million in additional funding for the School Transport Scheme to provide more places for children, including those with special educational needs, and to cover additional bus contractor costs.
• Funding of €3 million will be made available to provide for enhanced School Leadership with additional Deputy Principals in primary and post primary schools for the 2026/27 school year.
• Increases in the dedicated special needs co-ordination available to provide resources towards the growing number of children with special educational needs transitioning to post primary schools.
• Increased funding of €19 million will be provided for the continuation of important curricular development and related teacher education. This includes support for the ongoing delivery of Senior Cycle Redevelopment along with a range of other planned enhancements in the teaching and learning experience in our schools.
• Increase in funding by €8m for Youth services to support the sustainability and expansion of existing services for young people. It will enable upgrades to facilities, equipment, and digital infrastructure. The investment strengthens a resilient, inclusive youth sector for communities nationwide.
• Funding in 2026 will establish a Convention on Education, fulfilling a key Government commitment which will focus on primary and post-primary but will include the transition experiences from early childhood education to primary and from post-primary to further and higher education. It offers a unique chance for all stakeholders to shape Ireland’s education system for the future.
• Additional funding is being provided to support any changes to the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examination (RACE) Scheme in 2026 arising from the comprehensive review being conducted by the State Examinations Commission.