Darren O'Rourke
Ceist:519. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the financial breakdown of the key policy adjustments and expansion of services in Budget 2026. [55386/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 October 2025
Ceisteanna (519)
Freagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy 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, which was previously secured. This brings the overall allocation for my Department in 2026 to €13.1 Billion. The additional funding builds on 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 Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. The key features of Budget 2026 include:
• 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 an additional 860 special education teachers and 1,717 special needs assistants (SNAs) to support children across mainstream, special classes and special schools. This is the highest ever number of SNAs allocated and so in 2026 we will have over 24,900 in our education system. This is in recognition of the growing needs of children across all settings. In total there will be over 46,500 dedicated staff to support children with special educational needs in our schools.
• 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 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.
• 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.
As the Deputy may be aware, in line with standard practice, the final allocation of funding for my Department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published later this year. Further details on the 2026 allocations for my Department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.
Question No. 520 answered with Question No. 404.
Question No. 521 answered with Question No. 404.