Written Answers Nos. 488-507
488. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of pupils currently availing of the school transport scheme for 2025-2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55276/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the current school year already almost 178,000 children and young people are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country.
Of those 178,000 pupils, services facilitate over 100,000 mainstream pupils who are eligible for transport, as well as over 49,000 concessionary pupils.
In addition, over 23,000 pupils are travelling on dedicated school transport services for children with additional needs.
489. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a breakdown of the €16 million invested in school therapies in Budget 2026; and the number of SLTs and OTs she expects to provide, broken down by primary and post primary school. [55283/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra500. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth for a breakdown of the €16 million allocated in Budget 2026 to school-based therapies in special schools; when special classes and mainstream schools will start receiving these therapies; and when schools will receive this funding. [55313/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra512. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason the roll-out of school therapies is not coming into place with immediate effect following Budget 2026. [55325/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 489, 500 and 512 together.
The Education Plan 2025 confirms the government commitment to and approval of the establishment of the Education Therapy Service (ETS). Since then, the department have been actively engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE), the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI), the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) and school management bodies to help gather insights, identify priorities, shape how the ETS can be developed and how therapy supports can be effectively integrated within the school system. This preparatory work is required to ensure the effective and safe delivery of services to children in schools and alignment with existing services.
As has been indicated previously, it is anticipated that the ETS will commence in 45 special schools at a later stage in the 2025/26 school year and will be supported by a panel of 90 therapists comprising of senior and staff grade. The NCSE is currently preparing a large scale recruitment campaign which is anticipated to go live in the coming weeks. Further roll out of the service will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out to further special schools commencing in the 2026/27 school year. It is intended that this service will be available to schools with special classes and mainstream schools on a phased basis thereafter. This is not to replace HSE services but rather to compliment existing supports recognising that special schools support children with complex needs.
It is envisaged that school selection for the initial phase will be complete early in the 2025/2026 school year to ensure that selected schools have the opportunity to engage with the ETS prior to therapist assignment.
As outlined Budget 2026 allocated €16 million to in school therapies, this will facilitate the recruitment of further therapists and assist with the continued roll out of the ETS for all special schools in the 2026/2027 school year. Therapists will be based in the NCSE and assigned to schools. Clinical governance will be provided through a therapy management structure, ensuring robust clinical supervision.
My Department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that in time all children and young people have access to essential speech and language and occupational therapy in a timely manner.
490. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in budget 2026 for the minor work grant, ICT grant, solar PV grant and climate action summer works scheme. [55284/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my Department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. In addition, over 200 SEN Repurposing projects delivered maximising the use of existing accommodation while creating opportunities for inclusion and integration.
Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project roll-out for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs
My Department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
491. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the DEIS plan currently supports 260,000 people; and the number of additional people the DEIS Plus programme will support. [55285/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DEIS programme is a key policy of Government to tackle concentrated educational disadvantage at school level. The Minister for Education and Youth is determined to close the performance gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and introduce more innovative solutions to tackle disadvantage. The new DEIS plan will be published this year and will include a DEIS plus scheme.
Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over investment of over €180 million.
Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027 to introduce the DEIS plus scheme and support the implementation of the new DEIS plan.
The DEIS plus scheme will provide additional supports to schools with the highest level of need, in line with Government’s commitment. It will provide targeted support to a small group of schools with the highest concentration of students experiencing intergenerational disadvantage.
Details of the new DEIS plan are currently being developed in collaboration with an Advisory group and will be announced at the end of this year. The allocation of funding will be determined as part of the new DEIS plan.
492. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of the funding allocated in budget 2026 for the DEIS plan and DEIS Plus programme. [55286/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling educational disadvantage and helping students reach their full potential is a key priority for the Minister for Education and Youth. This is reflected in the funding secured in the Budget.
Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over €180 million.
Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027 to introduce the DEIS plus scheme and support the implementation of the new DEIS plan.
The Minister for Education and Youth is determined to close the performance gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and introduce more innovative solutions to tackle disadvantage. The new DEIS plan will be published this year and will include a DEIS plus scheme.
The plan will set out the Department of Education and Youth’s strategic vision, goals, and objectives to tackle educational disadvantage in all schools. The plan will focus on improving disadvantage in all schools, developing more innovative approaches to tackle educational disadvantage and working towards a more flexible system of support to ensure that schools can receive the right support at the right time.
The allocation of funding will be determined as part of the new DEIS plan.
493. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional schools that will receive the extra €20 capitation grant because they are classed as DEIS urban band 1; and the amount of such funding. [55287/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. 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.
The Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
The commitment in the Programme for Government builds on the progress which has been made in recent years, including an over €30 million permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs through Budget 2025. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This has resulted in the standard rates increasing from €200 to €224 for primary schools and from €345 to €386 per student in post-primary schools with effect from September 2025. Over the last two Budgets there has been a circa 22% increase in the level of capitation grant rates paid to schools. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2026, I am pleased that a total of €39m was secured for a permanent increase in mainstream capitation grant funding for schools, bringing the mainstream rate of capitation to €274 per pupil in primary schools and to €406 in post-primary schools for the 2026/2027 school year. This will also allow for an increase in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, of €20, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these Urban Band One DEIS schools to €294 from September 2026.
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
Tackling educational disadvantage is a key priority for the Minister for Education and Youth. The new DEIS plan will be published this year and will include a DEIS plus scheme. The plan will set out the Department of Education and Youth’s strategic vision, goals, and objectives to tackle educational disadvantage in all schools. The plan will focus on improving disadvantage in all schools, developing more innovative approaches to tackle educational disadvantage and working towards a more flexible system of support to ensure that schools can receive the right support at the right time. Schools will not be required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme. The process will be evidence-informed using available data.
Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over investment of over €180 million. Budget 2026 allocates an additional €16 million in 2026, rising to €48 million in 2027 to introduce the DEIS plus scheme and support the implementation of the new DEIS plan.
The DEIS plus scheme will provide additional supports to schools with the highest level of need, in line with Government’s commitment. It will provide targeted support to a small group of schools with the highest concentration of students experiencing intergenerational disadvantage. Details of the new DEIS plan are currently being developed in collaboration with an Advisory group and will be announced at the end of this year. The allocation of funding will be determined as part of the new DEIS plan.
494. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the increase in capitation grant to €406 for children in special schools once they turn 12 will come into effect; and the number of special schools that will receive this. [55288/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2026, I am pleased that a total of €39 million was secured for a permanent increase in mainstream capitation grant funding for schools, bringing the mainstream rate of capitation to €274 per pupil in primary schools and to €406 per student in post-primary schools for the 2026/27 school year.
The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive increased rates of capitation for students aged 12 and over, as with their peers in mainstream post-primary schools.
Enhanced rates of capitation currently apply to all students in special schools. However, for the majority of students in special schools, there was no increase in this enhanced rate when students reached the age of 12. This has now been addressed in Budget 2026 to reflect the difference which applies to their mainstream peers. This adjustment reflects the higher costs associated with education provision for older students and ensures funding on a fair and equitable basis across educational settings for all students.
Each special school, with a student(s) enrolled aged 12 or over, will benefit from this increase and up to 139 special schools are expected to benefit from this measure.
495. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of the €19 million allocated in budget 2026 to train teachers on how to deliver leaving certificate reform. [55289/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra496. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a breakdown of the €19 million allocated in budget 2026 to train teachers on how to deliver primary school curriculum reform. [55290/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra509. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the €19 million allocated in budget 2026 to curriculum development; the amount that will be for Leaving Certificate reform; and the amount that will be for primary school curriculum reform. [55322/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 496 and 509 together.
The Deputy will be aware that, as announced on Budget Day, I negotiated a substantial increase in funding for the Department of Education and Youth in 2026.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. This includes some €19 million of additional funding for the continuation of important curricular development and related teacher education.
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.
497. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline who will provide the training to teachers to deliver Leaving Certificate reform and primary school curriculum reform. [55291/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe redeveloped Primary School Curriculum is designed to support high-quality learning, teaching, and assessment. It is inclusive and evidence-based, recognising the right of all children to make progress across all areas of their learning.
The curriculum is intended to be used flexibly, encouraging a sense of agency and context-specific ownership. Importantly, its enactment is not solely the responsibility of schools, it requires the active engagement of all stakeholders across the education system.
As part of the supports underpinning enactment, teachers and school leaders will receive teacher professional learning through Oide, the Department funded support service for teachers and school leaders, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and Post-Primary Languages Ireland (PPLI).
Teacher professional learning will be facilitated by Oide for all primary schools and by NCSE for all special schools. The professional learning will support teachers and/or school leaders to develop their understanding of the over-arching messages from the Primary Curriculum Framework. It will also develop their understanding and enactment of the new curriculum specifications.
PPLI/Languages Connect will support the introduction of Modern Foreign Languages. They will work with Education Support Centres, Cultural Institutes and Higher Education Institutions, and other providers to provide modern foreign language learning opportunities over a number of years to enhance teachers’ confidence and competence in a modern foreign language of their choice.
In the current context of redevelopment at senior cycle, professional learning is critical in ensuring effective change to curriculum and assessment.
Oide, the Department funded support service for teachers and school leaders is dedicated to supporting teachers and school leaders with the successful implementation of the redeveloped senior cycle in their schools.
It plays a key role in delivering high quality professional learning to support curriculum and assessment changes at senior cycle, ensuring that teachers have the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement the redeveloped senior cycle effectively.
Teachers of Tranche 1 subjects received professional learning throughout the academic year 24 to 25, in advance of the implementation of these subjects in September 2025. There is an ongoing programme of Teacher Professional Learning over a number of years to support the roll-out of the new and revised specifications.
Professional learning for teachers of subjects in Tranche 2 began on 6th October 2025 in advance of implementation of these subjects in September 2026.
In addition, the Oide Inclusive Education team provided a range of supports including full day professional learning experiences, online webinars, information videos and bespoke school support for mainstream and special schools to support the introduction and implementation of the Senior Cycle Learning Programmes, Level 1 and Level 2 Programme Statement.
Support for the introduction and implementation of the new Transition Year Programme Statement is ongoing. The areas in focus for these full day professional learning experiences has been the introduction of the new TY Programmes Statement, supporting the auditing and review of currents programmes in place in schools.
Teacher are released from teaching duties, whether through school closure or provision of substitution, in order to avail of these professional learning opportunities.
499. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will intervene in the urgent case of a school in County Offaly (details supplied), that has had works approved since 2018 but which has yet to have a contractor appointed. [55302/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved to enter the departments pipeline of school buildings for a project to provide a 3 classroom SEN Base.The project was devolved to the school for delivery.
Approval to proceed to Stage 2b (developed design) was granted in April 2024. In June 2025, the Design Team advised they were finalising design elements and preparing tender documentation. The Department is currently awaiting the Stage 2b pre-tender report.
Once received, the report will undergo a detailed technical and cost review in line with the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subject to the due diligence requirements of the Public Infrastructure Guidelines. Managing timing, scope, and cost is crucial to staying within budgetary limits for the overall program.
Since 2020, the Department of Education and Youth has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,400 school building projects. Government support for this investment, including by way of supplementary capital funding, has delivered real benefits for school communities. Supplementary capital funding of €210 million approved by Government has brought the total capital allocation for 2025 for my department to €1.6 billion.
In July the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. As part of this NDP allocation the department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project roll-out for Large-Scale projects and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project roll-out over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
The department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the Autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
Department officials have actively engaged with the Design Team throughout and will continue to engage with the school authority to provide practical advice and assistance on this very important project.
502. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she expects the implementation of DEIS Plus in the fourth quarter of 2025. [55315/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTackling educational disadvantage and helping students reach their full potential is a key priority for me as Minister for Education and Youth. Currently, the DEIS programme supports almost 1,200 primary and post-primary schools, reaching approximately 260,000 students, with an annual investment of over €180 million.
I am committed to narrowing the performance gap between DEIS and non-DEIS schools and introducing innovative solutions to address disadvantage. A new DEIS plan will be published before the end of the year, which will include the DEIS Plus scheme.
I have secured €48 million in Budget 2026 for the new DEIS Plan and DEIS Plus scheme. The DEIS Plus scheme will provide additional support to schools with the highest levels of need, in line with the Government’s commitment. It will target a small cohort of schools with high concentrations of children and young people experiencing intergenerational disadvantage where there is a significant gap in outcomes and there are barriers to those children and young people achieving their potential.
The details of the DEIS Plus scheme are currently being finalised within an overall programme of work to tackle educational disadvantage and will be outlined in the new DEIS Plan. The details of the DEIS plan, including the DEIS plus scheme will be published before the end of 2025.
503. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the increase in the capitation grant by €50 for primary schools and €20 for post-primary will not come into effect until September 2026; the measures in place for schools for winter 2025 if they continue to struggle with costs. [55316/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the Programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that schools can meet the elevated day-to-day running costs.
The commitment in the Programme for Government builds on the progress which has been made in recent years, including an over €30 million permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs through Budget 2025. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and enhanced rates. This has resulted in the standard rates increasing from €200 to €224 for primary schools and from €345 to €386 per student in post-primary schools with effect from September 2025. Over the last two Budgets there has been a circa 22% increase in the level of capitation grant rates paid to schools. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2026, I am pleased that a total of €39m was secured for a permanent increase in mainstream capitation grant funding for schools, bringing the mainstream rate of capitation to €274 per pupil in primary schools and to €406 in post-primary schools for the 2026/2027 school year.
The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day-to-day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general up-keep, and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities, except for the employment of relevant secretaries as per Circular 0036/2022.
The current standard rate of capitation grant is €224 per pupil in primary schools and €386 per student in post-primary schools. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and the ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils.
Schools should also ensure that they are availing of the available OGP procurement frameworks and getting best value for money for all school expenditure.
Schools experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to contact my Department for advice and support. The Department is committed to offering all available and appropriate supports to schools, which may include an advance in capitation grant funding or other measures.
The Department is constantly engaging with a number of schools in this respect. Schools that have contacted the Department have been referred to the FSSU.
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters, including budgeting and cashflow management. Contact details for FSSU can be found on www.fssu.ie.
504. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if it is the case that of the 1,042 additional teachers provided for in Budget 2026, 860 are special education teachers to cover special schools and special classes in mainstream schools; and if that means there is only an additional 182 mainstream teachers. [55317/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2026 provides funding for 860 additional teachers, commencing in the 2026/27 school year, to support children with special education needs (SEN). These additional teachers will be allocated to work in special classes and special schools, and as special education teachers in mainstream school settings.
There is also increased funding to cover the costs associated with an estimated 182 extra teachers due to changing demographics and language supports needs.
The Deputy may also be aware that additional funding was secured in Budget 2026 for increased school leadership supports, enhanced programme of supports for DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) and for delivery of curriculum reforms and teacher education. This funding will also result in additional teachers being allocated within our schools.
The published Budget documentation sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. The final allocation of funding for the 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.
505. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional teachers needed to reduce the pupil teacher ratio by one point; and the reason her Department has failed to reduce the pupil teacher ratio in classrooms by even one point, as budget 2026 only provides an additional 182 mainstream teachers. [55318/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the €3 million allocation in budget 2026 to provide additional deputy principals in primary and post-primary schools; and the number of additional deputy principals are expected to be hired, broken down by primary and post-primary level. [55323/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 505 and 510 together.
Budget 2026 provides for a total of €13.1 billion investment in education and in youth services in Budget 2026 – an almost 7 per cent increase on last year.
Education Plan 2025, which aims to deliver a world-class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their potential, clearly outlines the government’s commitment to education and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their full potential. Budget 2026 will not only take action to tackle educational disadvantage in schools, it will support the recruitment of teachers and SNAs, and provide important increased funding to schools.
Budget 2026 provides an increase of €845 million in core current funding for education and youth on the figure allocated for 2025, while the total investment figure also includes €1.6 billion allocated for 2026 as part of the National Development Plan 2026 – 2030.
This funding reflects the Government’s continued commitment, under the Programme for Government, to ensuring that every child and young person can learn, thrive and reach their full potential. It builds on the progress made in recent years, while recognising that further work is needed to make education more inclusive and equitable for all.
Funding has been provided for 860 special education teachers, across special schools and mainstream settings, along with more than 1700 SNAs. In addition, school leadership supports have been increased and will see additional deputy principals in primary and post-primary schools.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. 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.
Priority was given in recent Budgets to reducing the pupil teacher ratios in primary schools which has brought the teacher allocation ratio to an average of 1 classroom teacher for every 23 pupils in all primary schools, the most favourable ratio ever seen at primary level. More favourable ratios are implemented for DEIS Urban Band 1 schools. In 2015, teachers were allocated to primary schools at a general average of 28 pupils for every one teacher. In the same 10 year period, average class sizes in primary schools have improved from 24.9 to 22.2 and the pupil : teacher ratio (commonly referred to as PTR) shows the ratio of pupils to teachers improve from 16:1 to 12.8:1.
In addition to the reductions in the teacher allocation ratio, a three-point reduction in the retention schedule, which was introduced in 2021, assists schools that would otherwise be at risk of losing teaching posts.
Each one point reduction in the staffing schedule at primary level for DEIS and non-DEIS schools requires between 350 - 400 additional teaching posts, at a cost of approximate cost between €26.7 - €30.5 million per annum. The salary costings will rise in line with the Public Sector Pay Agreement 2024-2026.
506. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the €8 million provided for the youth sector in budget 2026; and the amount specifically for capital projects. [55319/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to announce that, arising from budget 2026, an additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of youth services. This investment strengthens the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision — ensuring continuity, expanding reach, and enabling services to respond to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diverse youth population.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. 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.
507. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth of the €69 million funding provided for the school transport scheme in 2025, the amount that is to maintain existing levels of service; and the amount that is for new measures. [55320/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional children who will be able to avail of the school transport scheme following budget 2026. [55321/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 507 and 508 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the current school year already almost 178,000 children and young people are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country.
Over €69 million of additional funding is being allocated to school transport services. This is to provide for the additional demand for pupils with special educational needs on school transport services and increased bus contractor running costs.
It will also provide for additional funding on the School Transport Scheme fleet, and to implement improved technology such as e-ticketing on school transport services. E-ticketing will enhance students’ experiences on school transport and allow for greater visibility on seat usage. With better data, this will inform future route planning and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. 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.
