Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
367. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated full-year cost of increasing the number of special education teachers by 500, 1,000, and 1,500 respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35654/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
Special education teachers provide additional teaching to children attending mainstream classes with special educational needs using a wide variety of teaching approaches.
The estimated full-year cost of a new entrant special education teacher is €56,110 per annum within a primary setting and €56,510 in a post-primary setting.
The estimated full-year cost of a special education teacher on average is €76,350 per annum within a primary setting and €78,490 in a post-primary setting. This includes provision for related substitution costs and employer PRSI.
|
Number of Teachers |
New Entrant (Primary) |
Average Cost (Primary) |
New Entrant (Post-Primary) |
Average Cost (Post-Primary) |
|
500 |
€28,055,000 |
€38,175,000 |
€28,255,000 |
€39,245,000 |
|
1000 |
€56,110,000 |
€76,350,000 |
€56,510,000 |
€78,490,000 |
|
1500 |
€84,165,000 |
€114,525,000 |
€84,765,000 |
€117,735,000 |
Where posts are allocated from 1 September, the cost is a pro-rata equivalent of the full 12 month annual cost.
My department and the National Council for Special Education are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
