Written Answers Nos. 355-374
355. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing current and capital funding for the development of youth work organisations by 10%, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49125/26]
View answer366. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing funding for the Youth Capital Funding Scheme by 10%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49136/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 366 together.
National youth organisations are funded by the Youth Affairs unit of this department under the youth services grant scheme (YSGS) which currently provides funding to 30 national youth organisations and a further 5 organisations are funded under a pilot initiative. The funding provided to these national youth organisations in 2026 is outlined in the table below.
The cost of increasing the current funding as outlined above for the national youth work organisations would be €1,577,151
Youth Services Grant Scheme Funding 2026
|
YSGS Main Scheme Youth Organisation |
2026 Allocation |
Cost of a 10% increase |
Total Cost inclusive of 10% increase |
|
An Óige |
€253,247.00 |
€25,324.70 |
€278,571.70 |
|
Belong To |
€267,572.00 |
€26,757.20 |
€294,329.20 |
|
Catholic Guides of Ireland |
€363,353.00 |
€36,335.30 |
€399,688.30 |
|
Church of Ireland Youth Department |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
Crosscare |
€1,326,845.00 |
€132,684.50 |
€1,459,529.50 |
|
Eco Unesco |
€171,727.00 |
€17,172.70 |
€188,899.70 |
|
Experiment in International Living |
€40,443.00 |
€4,044.30 |
€44,487.30 |
|
Feachtas |
€125,079.00 |
€12,507.90 |
€137,586.90 |
|
ForÓige |
€3,931,845.00 |
€393,184.50 |
€4,325,029.50 |
|
Girls Brigade |
€63,827.00 |
€6,382.70 |
€70,209.70 |
|
Girls Friendly Society |
€44,468.00 |
€4,446.80 |
€48,914.80 |
|
Involve |
€321,339.00 |
€32,133.90 |
€353,472.90 |
|
Irish Girl Guides |
€536,437.00 |
€53,643.70 |
€590,080.70 |
|
Irish Methodist Youth and Children Dept |
€41,762.00 |
€4,176.20 |
€45,938.20 |
|
Junior Chamber Ireland |
€23,769.00 |
€2,376.90 |
€26,145.90 |
|
Localise |
€180,718.00 |
€18,071.80 |
€198,789.80 |
|
Macra Na Feirme |
€621,352.00 |
€62,135.20 |
€683,487.20 |
|
National Federation of Arch Clubs |
€73,337.00 |
€7,333.70 |
€80,670.70 |
|
National Youth Council of Ireland |
€905,337.00 |
€90,533.70 |
€995,870.70 |
|
No Name Club |
€273,812.00 |
€27,381.20 |
€301,193.20 |
|
Ógras |
€261,462.00 |
€26,146.20 |
€287,608.20 |
|
Order of Malta Cadets |
€67,930.00 |
€6,793.00 |
€74,723.00 |
|
Scouting Ireland |
€1,549,441.00 |
€154,944.10 |
€1,704,385.10 |
|
SpunOut |
€136,361.00 |
€13,636.10 |
€149,997.10 |
|
The Boys Brigade |
€80,622.00 |
€8,062.20 |
€88,684.20 |
|
Voluntary Services International |
€113,200.00 |
€11,320.00 |
€124,520.00 |
|
Young Irish Film Makers |
€82,026.00 |
€8,202.60 |
€90,228.60 |
|
Young Men's Christian Association |
€212,314.00 |
€21,231.40 |
€233,545.40 |
|
Youth Theatre Ireland |
€142,895.00 |
€14,289.50 |
€157,184.50 |
|
Youth Work Ireland |
€2,826,645.00 |
€282,664.50 |
€3,109,309.50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
YSGS Pilot Youth Organisation |
|
|
|
|
Irish Red Cross |
€163,606.00 |
€16,360.60 |
€179,966.60 |
|
Irish Association of Youth Orchestras |
€142,400.00 |
€14,240.00 |
€156,640.00 |
|
Irish Traveller Movement |
€100,399.00 |
€10,039.90 |
€110,438.90 |
|
Kinia |
€225,936.00 |
€22,593.60 |
€248,529.60 |
|
Young Social Innovators |
€100,000.00 |
€10,000.00 |
€110,000.00 |
|
Total |
€15,771,506.00 |
€1,577,150.60 |
€17,348,656.60 |
Capital funding is made available to the national youth organisations as part of the youth capital funding scheme. This scheme has a total funding allocation of €4,000,000 for 2026 and the cost of increasing capital funding by 10% would be €400,000. The national youth organisations element of the youth capital funding scheme for 2026 has not yet been confirmed.
Youth Capital Funding Scheme 2026
|
|
2026 Allocation |
Cost of a 10% increase |
Total Cost inclusive of 10% increase |
|
Youth Capital Funding Scheme |
€4,000,000 |
€400,000 |
€4,400,000 |
356. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of the Gaeltacht teaching allowance in the last year of its full operation; and if her Department has estimated a cost for its restoration for Gaeltacht teachers in 2026. [49126/26]
View answer357. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of the Irish-medium teaching allowance in the last year of its full operation; and if her Department has estimated a cost for its restoration for Irish-medium teachers in 2026. [49127/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.
The cost in 2025 of paying Gaeltacht allowance to teachers in Primary, Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools was €1.68 million.
The cost in 2025 of paying the Teaching Through Irish allowance to teachers in Primary, Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools was €1.95 million.
All of the above costs related to eligible teachers who entered service prior to 1 January 2011.
The Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, contains a local bargaining provision which under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment.
Under this provision, the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) elected to use its funding under the 1% local bargaining tranche to introduce a series of allowances, agreed with my Department and verified by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. These measures are specifically targeted at addressing identified areas of challenge in recruitment and retention.
Circular 54/2026 from my Department provides details of the allowances that will be paid to Primary teachers who entered service on or after 1 January 2011. These allowances include Gaeltacht allowance and an allowance for teachers working in Gaelscoileanna.
My Department's officials are currently working on arrangements for payment of these allowances, including arrears, to eligible Primary teachers.
Once the changes are implemented, it is projected that the cost of Gaeltacht allowance for teachers in Primary, Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools will be approximately €3.23 million for 2026.
The combined cost of the allowance for Primary teachers working in Gaelscoileanna and the Teaching Through Irish allowance for teachers in Primary, Voluntary Secondary, Community and Comprehensive schools is projected to be approximately €5.75 million for 2026.
All of the above figures are inclusive of Employer PRSI. Substitute costs of new allowances are excluded from projections.
358. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total funding set aside by her Department for Irish Medium Education in the 2025/26 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49128/26]
View answerFunding is provided by my department for specific policies and policy actions to support Irish-medium and Gaeltacht schools, in addition to the funding provided to support all state-funded schools including capital funding, payment of teachers and school staff, capitation grants and supports such as teacher professional learning.
Departmental funding is calculated based on a calendar year, from January to December, and in the interest of accuracy the requested funding information is provided based on the 2026 calendar year.
Allocated spending for 2026 for actions to support Irish-medium education under the Policy on Gaeltacht Education and the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht is approximately €8.6 million.
In addition to funding for policy measures, other targeted supports are provided by my department for Irish-medium schools.
An additional teaching post is allocated to each Irish-medium post-primary school. The allocated spending on these additional teaching posts in 2026 will be approximately €4 million.
The current rate of capitation for primary schools is €224 and this will rise to €274 in September 2026. Gaelscoileanna receive an additional €25 per pupil on top of the standard capitation rate for all schools, costing approximately €900,000 in 2026.
Voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme are funded by my department by way of per capita grants. Additional per capita grants, known as Irish and Bilingual grants, are paid to secondary schools in the voluntary sector in which instruction is through the medium of Irish in full or in part. The allocated spending on these grants for 2026 was estimated at approximately €700,000.
My department recently published its NDP Sectoral Investment Plan, which notes that capital investment of €466 million has been made in Irish-medium schools since 2020. Additional investment is planned for Irish-medium provision as part of the phased implementation of projects under the NDP in 2026 and 2027.
359. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the provision of Irish Medium Education from 6% to 20%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49129/26]
View answerAccording to the 2025/26 enrolment data published on the gov.ie website, approximately 6% of the school population is currently being taught through Irish both inside and outside the Gaeltacht. Identifying the cost of bringing this figure to 20% would require substantial analysis to determine parental interest, and both capital and current cost requirements. Significant analysis of the school estate would be required to identify suitable opportunities for Irish medium education, the expansion of which would also create a need for increased staffing, including principals, teachers (both mainstream and special educational needs), SNAs, secretaries, caretakers and administrative personnel. Given the scale and extent of variables involved it is not possible to estimate these costs at the present time.
By way of general information, the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht was launched in November 2025. The policy sets out my department's vision that high-quality Irish-medium education will be available to all, in inclusive and multicultural educational settings. I am committed to my department working with stakeholders to achieve that vision, and to make progress towards delivering on the commitments of the Programme for Government.
The Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education, which was established under the Policy for Irish-Medium Education outside of the Gaeltacht, is providing a platform for collaboration between my department and key stakeholders to identify a pathway to increase the provision of Irish-medium education. I look forward to the outcome of this taskforce to help strengthen and expand the provision of Irish-medium education.
In addition, parental preferences from the primary school survey have now been published and this provides a comprehensive evidence base to underpin decision-making on the level of demand for Irish medium provision. Primary schools have been given an opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the survey and indicate to the Department by 31 October if, following local consultations, they are interested in change - including in relation to moving to Irish medium provision. This can provide a cost-effective mechanism for increasing Irish medium provision.
360. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of updating the Drumcondra Irish language test and expanding the test to all schools in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49130/26]
View answerThe development of Triailacha Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach do Bhunscoileanna Rialta (TGD-R) for English medium schools started in 2025.
Triail Ghaeilge Dhroim Conrach le haghaidh Bhunscoileanna Gaeltachta agus Lán-Ghaeilge (TGD-G) and TGD-R are being developed simultaneously to cover Irish language tests in both Irish and English medium schools.
The estimated development cost for both tests is €4.42M
361. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of increasing COGG funding by 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% respectively, and by the cost of inflation since Budget 2026, in tabular form. [49131/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that COGG funding in 2026 amounts to €4,816,000.
The estimated cost of increasing COGG funding is set out below:
|
|
+5% |
+10% |
+15% |
+20% |
+*3.60% |
|
€4,816,000 |
€5,056,800 |
€5,297,600 |
€5,538,400 |
€5,779,200 |
€4,989,376 |
*3.6% rate from CSO Consumer Price Index May 2026, CSO statistical release, 11 June 2026
In addition to core funding, funding for six Education Officers seconded to COGG are paid, directly from the department’s teacher payroll, if included the total funding for 2026 would be approximately €5,416,000. Should additional core funding result in the need for additional staff, this cost would also increase.
362. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of adding an additional week of immersion in the Gaeltacht to the programme for trainee teachers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49132/26]
View answerThe Gaeltacht Learning Placement (GLP) grant is a financial support provided by the Department to cover the cost of GLPs for undergraduate and postgraduate students in State-funded primary ITE programmes.
The current mandatory requirement for the Gaeltacht Learning Period for primary initial teacher education programmes is 4 weeks and takes the form of two 2-week placements blocks. These requirements are outlined in the Teaching Council’s Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education.
Based on current rates and the expected intake of students in the upcoming year, an additional week of immersion in the Gaeltacht Learning Period programme would cost an estimated €1.2m.
Assumptions are based on providing an additional week for the State-funded HEI students, running consecutively to a two-week placement block.
363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of bringing secondary school science labs up to date and modernised for the new senior cycle reforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49133/26]
View answerI am committed to Senior Cycle Redevelopment and the implementation of the programme of work involved. A robust package of supports, including those developed through extensive negotiations with both post-primary teachers’ unions, is in place to ensure schools and teachers are fully equipped to deliver on this ambitious programme.
As the Deputy may be aware, Senior Cycle is being implemented in a series of five annual subject groupings called tranches. In September 2025, the first tranche of new and revised Leaving Certificate Established subjects was introduced in schools, including the subjects, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
Since the publication of the redeveloped science specifications significant investment has been made to ensure that schools have the resources required to meet the needs of students. Through a combination of the Science Implementation Support Grant paid to schools in December 2024; the expanded science subject grant for the 2025/26 school year paid in December 2025; and the Climate Action Summer Works commitment announced in November 2025, approximately €45m in additional funding has been committed to the science subjects. This included under the Summer Works commitment approval for works related to 60 science laboratories. More generally, approximately 300 new or modernised science laboratories have also been delivered since 2020.
The recently published addendum to the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Support Measures (SCRISM) document, originally published in 2025, commits to an additional implementation support grant in the order of €2m in total to be provided to all schools (in the Free Scheme) with discretion at school level as to how it is utilised within the parameter of support to Senior cycle Redevelopment enactment.
My officials and I will continue to engage with our education partners to ensure senior cycle redevelopment responds to the needs of all of our students. My Department is committed to an ongoing process of identifying the resources required to realise the vision for a redeveloped Senior Cycle including the achievement of subject learning outcomes, as intended.
364. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of science labs that will be brought up to date under the Summer Works Scheme; the total funding associated with this work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49134/26]
View answer365. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total funding allocated by her Department to bring science labs up to date and modernised under the various schemes; the number of science labs that will be modernised with this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49135/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.
The purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works which includes the refurbishment of Science Labs.
In November 2025, my department announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS). 297 projects were approved to proceed in 2026; this included 99 remaining projects from the previous Summer Works Scheme. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.
The first tranche of approvals included 63 schools approved for Science Lab refurbishment covering a total of 143 labs. The full list of applications approved for 2026 can be found under https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/967d0eae/CASWS_Approvals_version_4.pdf.
As all the schools approved under the first tranche of approvals are yet to go to open tender for their individual projects it is not possible to provide details of funding being allocated to each school as it could influence that tendering process.
367. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total funding provided for the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme to Urban-Primary, Rural-Primary and Post-Primary schools currently; and the estimated cost of a 5%, 10% and 20% increase in this funding, in tabular form. [49137/26]
View answerTackling educational disadvantage and supporting students to fulfil their full potential in life is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth, and for the Government.
The DEIS programme is a key policy of Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level and provides a targeted range of supports to schools in addition to universal supports such as free schoolbooks and free hot school meals. My department invests over €180 million annually to provide additional supports to almost 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme which supports approximately 260,000 students.
The Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) scheme is a core element of the DEIS programme. HSCL coordinators are teachers assigned for a maximum of five years to work directly with parents, guardians, school staff and community services to strengthen engagement between home, school and the community. The overarching aim of HSCL is to improve attendance, participation and retention, particularly for children and young people experiencing educational disadvantage.
At present, the HSCL scheme operates in all schools in the DEIS Urban primary and DEIS post-primary bands supporting approximately 207,000 children and young people. The scheme is delivered by 528 full-time HSCL coordinators assigned to HSCL duties either in individual schools or in clusters of schools.
In addition to the above, a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils, is in operation in 4 locations with 1 HSCL coordinator assigned in each location and a further 10 HSCL coordinators support attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma students, across 14 non-DEIS post-primary schools.
The total DEIS Grant paid to primary schools for the 2025-2026 school year was €15,823,220 and the total DEIS Grant paid to post-primary schools was €5,924,183. DEIS Grants for the upcoming school year 2026/2027 will issue to schools in the coming weeks.
The information on the DEIS grant requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table:
|
DEIS Grant |
Total Grant |
5% increase |
10% increase |
40% increase |
|
Primary |
€15,823,220 |
€791,161 |
€1,582,322 |
€6,329,288 |
|
Post-primary |
€5,924,183 |
€296,209 |
€592,418 |
€2,369,673 |
In addition, over €48 million is spent annually on the pay costs of HSCL coordinators in urban primary and post-primary DEIS schools. The average teacher’s salary costs for primary and post-primary teachers are outlined in the following table:
|
Primary Teacher |
Post-Primary Teacher |
|
*€80,360 |
*€81,640 |
*Figures are inclusive of Employer PRSI and substitution costs and are based on expenditure and teacher numbers to the end of 2025
I was pleased to recently announce a pilot project to extend HSCL provision to 130 DEIS Rural band and non-DEIS schools. This is an important opportunity to trial the extension of an important resource to additional schools and inform the future policy for the scheme.
The pilot will be monitored and evaluated to inform future planning. Any future allocation of resources, including any potential further extension of the pilot, will be considered over the lifetime of the DEIS Strategy to 2035 and in the context of available resources.
368. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of DEIS schools involved in the Home School Community Liaison Scheme; the number of children and young people involved in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49138/26]
View answerTackling educational disadvantage and supporting students to fulfil their full potential in life is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth, and for the Government.
The DEIS programme is a key policy of Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level and provides a targeted range of supports to schools in addition to universal supports such as free schoolbooks and free hot school meals. Currently, my department invests over €180 million annually to provide additional supports to almost 1,200 schools in the DEIS programme which supports approximately 260,000 students.
The HSCL scheme is a core element of the DEIS programme and of the wider Tusla Education Support Service. HSCL coordinators are teachers assigned for a maximum of five years to work directly with parents, guardians, school staff and community services to strengthen engagement between home, school and the community. The overarching aim of HSCL is to improve attendance, participation and retention, particularly for children and young people experiencing educational disadvantage.
At present, all DEIS urban primary schools and DEIS post-primary schools are included in the HSCL scheme, which currently serves 682 DEIS schools, supporting approximately 207,000 children and young people. The scheme is delivered by 528 full-time HSCL coordinators assigned to HSCL duties either in individual schools or in clusters of schools.
In addition to the above, a pilot project to support Traveller and Roma pupils, is in operation in 4 locations with 1 HSCL coordinator assigned in each location and a further 10 HSCL coordinators support attendance, participation and retention among Traveller and Roma students, across 14 non-DEIS post-primary schools.
I was pleased to recently announce an additional pilot project to extend HSCL provision to 130 schools that are in the DEIS Rural band and outside the DEIS programme. This is an important opportunity to trial the extension of an important resource to additional schools and inform the future policy for the scheme.
369. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost of a 20% increase in the ancillary grant provided to every school for the year 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49139/26]
View answerThe ancillary services grant is payable to recognised primary schools and special schools in the Free Education Scheme, in line with Circular 0029/2026. The grant is intended to cater for the cost of employing secretarial and caretaking staff. As per Circular 0040/2009 the capitation grant provided for general running costs and the ancillary services grant provided for secretarial and caretaking services may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
Schools that employ both secretaries and caretakers under the 1978/79 scheme do not receive Ancillary grants as these employees are directly paid by the Department. Schools that employ either a secretary or caretaker under the 1978/79 scheme receive a standard reduced rate of the Ancillary Grant.
The standard full rate ancillary services grant is €175.60 per pupil. The standard reduced rate grant is €90.80 per pupil. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the ancillary services grant on the basis of having 60 pupils, while the maximum grant paid is based on an enrolment figure of 500 pupils. The ancillary services grant is based on the enrolment figure on 30 September of the previous year.
Special schools are paid the ancillary services grant based on the number of authorised fulltime teachers approved by the department for the school. The maximum grant is paid based on a ceiling of 16 teachers.
After Fórsa accepted the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement about salaries and leave for grant-funded school secretaries, the secretaries who accepted the agreement were added to the Department of Education and Youth’s payroll from September 2023. Because of this, the ancillary-related grant funding has been updated, since schools are no longer paying these salaries directly.
Since the 2023/24 school year, schools have been paid the usual ancillary grant amount, minus the amount that schools previously paid to grant-funded secretaries prior to their acceptance of the new terms and conditions. Schools provided the department with these details and this information is now being used to reduce the ancillary-related grant funding. Schools should be in no way disadvantaged by this, as the grant is reduced only by the amount they previously paid to their secretaries.
To date we have issued correspondence to schools with details of the arrangements for each interim period since September 2023.
In some situations, the salaries of ancillary staff in a particular school may have been higher than the ancillary grant due to the school, and the school may have funded this difference via other revenue streams. In situations where the salary that a school was paying their secretary was higher than the ancillary grant due to the school, prior to them being added to the Department of Education and Youth’s payroll, then the ancillary grant is reduced to NIL. This should not impact the school’s financial position.
The estimate cost of increasing the ancillary services grant from September 2027 by 20% would be approximately €6.8 million first year cost and €20.3 million full year cost.
370. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated first- and full-year cost of increasing guidance counselling funding by 5%, 10% and 20% respectively, in tabular form. [49140/26]
View answer371. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total number of guidance counsellor posts allocated to schools for the 2025/2026 school year and the average annual cost associated with one guidance counsellor post, in tabular form. [49141/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together.
Since 2023, and publication of the National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance (2024-2030) the Department has committed considerable resources towards the restoration of the allocation for guidance to post-primary schools:
- Development of a Guidance Team within Oide, and provision of TPL to guidance counsellors and other school personnel;
- Funding to increase provision of guidance counsellor initial training courses,
- Extension of a national guidance counselling supervision service for post-primary guidance counsellors in recent times.
The allocation for guidance is provided separately and transparently on each school's staffing schedule. These hours are ring-fenced so they can only be used for guidance activities and to meet the guidance needs of the school.
There were 972 whole-time equivalent guidance counsellor posts in second level schools for the 2025/2026 school year.
The current average cost of a post-primary teacher (incl. Employer PRSI) is €81,640.
With regard to resourcing the allocation for guidance specifically, the estimated allocation for guidance for the 2026/27 school year will be circa €81 million.
Hence, as requested, the table below outlines the estimated first and full year cost of increasing guidance posts by 5%, 10% and 20% respectively.
|
% increase |
First year cost € |
Full year cost € |
|
5% |
1.3m |
4.0m |
|
10% |
2.6m |
8.1m |
|
20% |
5.4m |
16.2m |
The allocation for guidance is deployed in each local post-primary school as outlined in the associated staffing circulars 0026/2026, 0027/2026, 0028/2026 and circular 0001/2025. As noted within these circulars, ‘in deploying the guidance allocation, schools are encouraged to give due consideration to the pivotal role the qualified guidance counsellor plays in the implementation of the whole school guidance plan.
372. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the cost of increasing the school ICT grant for primary schools by 10%, 20%, and 50% respectively, in tabular form. [49142/26]
View answerThe Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and it's associated implementation plan is underpinned by funding of €200m over the course of the strategy, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The funding allocation model is provided for in the National Development Plan and commits to funding to issue over the period of the NDP, applied by the Department for the Digital Strategy duration (to 2027 for the current strategy).
To date, €310 million has issued to all recognised primary and post-primary schools in ICT grant funding, under the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 and the current Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. This funding has enabled schools to invest in appropriate digital infrastructure to enable the embedding of digital technology in teaching, learning and assessment, in accordance with their digital learning plans.
The costings provided are based on the most recent ICT grant payment of €20,811,957 (from the €35m paid to primary and post primary schools) that issued to primary schools in January 2026 for the 2025/2026 school year, however it should be noted that the actual ICT grant amount varies depending on the total allocation provided in the National Development Plan for the Digital Strategy. While the NDP commitment did not guarantee a specific amount in each year it is anticipated that providing €35m this year, will enable the balance of €30 million to issue to schools over the remaining years of the current strategy to 2027. Clarity and certainty are being provided for the school system on annual grant payment timeline which is now set at December/January payment period for each year.
This funding underpins the ongoing commitment to supporting and enabling schools to ensure the continued embedding of digital technologies in teaching learning and assessment and builds on the €210m in grants that issued under the previous Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020.
Using the most recent ICT grant figures paid to primary schools in the 2025/2026 school year, please find below information sought by the Deputy.
ICT Grant 2025/26 - Primary
|
Primary Amount - 2025/26 |
10% increase |
20% increase |
50% Increase |
|
€20,811,957 |
€22,893,153 |
€24,974,348 |
€31,217,936 |
373. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the first and full year savings associated with the introduction of a phased abolition of the private school subsidy over five years;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49143/26]
View answerThe most recent annualised gross expenditure incurred by my Department in respect of fee-charging schools was €151.3 million. This comprised €150.7 million in teacher and Special Needs Assistant salary costs for the 2024/25 school year and €0.6 million in capital supports, including building-related and ICT grants, in 2025.
It is not possible to estimate with precision the net savings to the Exchequer that might arise from the withdrawal of State funding from fee-charging schools. If such funding were withdrawn, some pupils currently attending those schools would be expected to transfer to schools participating in the Free Education Scheme. In such circumstances, the State would be required to fund their education in those schools, including teacher allocations, special education supports and, potentially, additional school accommodation and other capital investment.
It should also be noted that the staffing schedule applicable to fee-charging schools is less favourable than that applying in the free education sector. The current allocation ratio in fee-charging schools is 23:1, compared with 19:1 in schools participating in the Free Education Scheme. Consequently, the level of State-funded staffing support per pupil in fee-charging schools is lower than in the free education sector.
Accordingly, while the gross expenditure outlined above provides an indication of the level of State funding involved, any estimate of savings arising from a phased abolition of such funding would depend on a range of uncertain factors, including the future choices of parents and schools.
Therefore, my Department is not in a position to provide further information on the matter of a 'phased abolition', as any attempt would be speculative.
374. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated first year and full year cost of a device allowance for schoolchildren whose schools are using tablets to the value of €1,000 per student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49144/26]
View answerIt should be noted at the outset that my Department does not hold centrally collected data on the number of pupils attending schools which use tablet devices.
It should also be noted that under the Education Act, the Boards of Management of Schools have responsibility for the day to day management of schools. Decisions regarding the use and deployment of digital technology in schools is therefore a matter for the Board of Management of each school in the context of their digital learning planning. Schools are advised to consult with members of the school community including parents when planning for the introduction of digital technologies including devices with cost and other implications being fully considered by the Boards of Management before a decision is made.
Schools, in conjunction with parents, are responsible for all decisions on the use of digital technology, including tablet devices, laptops, and learning platforms, and how best to manage their integration into classroom practice reflective of their own context and requirements. They are also responsible for the type of digital technology used in their schools.
I recently communicated directly with all schools and boards of management, clarifying the department's position that there is no requirement for a personal device for junior or leaving cert and I requested schools to be cognisant of the views of parents in relation to the use of digital devices and the associated costs. Also, I stressed the need for schools to engage with all parents - and not just the Parent's Association - before deciding on an approach regarding devices.
I will continue to engage with educational stakeholders on this matter.
It is the responsibility of each individual school to select the digital resources, if any, that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum. The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 does not mandate or prescribe the use of any particular devices or technologies in teaching and learning, rather it advocates for the deeper embedding of digital technologies in teaching and learning to develop digital literacy and competence, critical thinking and collaborative practice. It is not merely focused on using digital devices as an alternative to physical textbooks or resources.
Accordingly, there is no Department requirement for students to use personal digital devices for schoolwork or homework. Where digital devices are used as part of teaching and learning, schools are expected to ensure that no child is disadvantaged due to lack of access to technology. Schools are also required to comply with data protection and child wellbeing obligations, and to set out their approach to digital technology use in relevant policies, including the Acceptable Use Policy, in consultation with parents and pupils, as appropriate.
I am keenly aware of the challenges faced by educators and parents in relation to costs of digital technology, including tablets, and my Department continues to work to help support schools and families meet these costs. As referenced, in 2017, a circular letter issued to schools with measures to be adopted to reduce the cost of school uniforms and other costs including such ICT devices. https://assets.gov.ie/12695/2045e7ccec684f72b55d93930e45372c.pdf
That circular also instructed schools to consult with parents and their school community on the issue of ensuring costs are reasonable for parents, and how to avoid costs acting as a barrier. This circular specified that wherever possible, generic rather than branded items should be specified (e.g. uniform, clothing, IT tablets, sports equipment etc.).
The Circular provides that schools should also consult with parents on their views and suggestions on cost reduction initiatives. Schools should provide parents with a list of all required items and indicate the likely costs of these required items at best value stores. Where an exclusive supply arrangement applies, it should be reviewed regularly and tendered for in accordance with procurement requirements.
Oide-Technology in Education (the area within my department's support service for teachers specialising in digital technology in teaching and learning, offer advice and supports to schools on digital learning. Advice sheets are available on digital technology in education, including on the adoption of laptops and tablets in schools. Oide- TiE also provide advice sheets on technical and purchasing considerations for schools.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated implementation plan is underpinned by funding of €200m over the course of the strategy, committed to under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP). The funding allocation model is provided for in the National Development Plan and commits to funding to issue over the period of the NDP, applied by the Department for the Digital Strategy duration (to 2027 for the current strategy). Including the funding recently issued, to date, a total of €170 million of the €200 million committed to in the NDP for the strategy has issued to schools through the ICT grant
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, does not mandate or prescribe a policy of one-to-one devices in schools. However, this funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment to support schools to embed the use of digital technologies in teaching learning and assessment.
To further assist schools, the Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), established by my Department is the central support resource for providing guidance to all primary and post-primary schools (except ETB schools) on any procurement-related issue. The SPU delivers free advice and practical support to schools to help them achieve improvements in their procurement processes, practices and outcomes.
