The Programme for Government commits to make further progress in this area with an aim to reduce the general Pupil Teacher Ratio at primary level to 19:1 over the term of government. I look forward to making progress on this important issue.
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 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.
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
The government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities. The Programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including introducing a new national small schools' project and trialling new administrative supports.
The current small schools' project is currently being implemented on a pilot basis to support collaboration and sharing of resources among small schools in rural areas. Learnings from the evaluation of the current small schools' project will be invaluable and will form a strong basis to inform the future policy direction in relation to all small schools. This will include the development in my department of future proposals to deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.
By the end of the 2026 calendar year there will be over 21,000 special educational teachers in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have almost 46,000 teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing students with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their best outcomes and reach their full potential.
I understand that special education teachers particularly at post-primary level dedicate a significant proportion of their day to information gathering and assessment, reviewing, monitoring and co¬ordinating provision for students with special educational needs. This would include transition planning for the identified students.
In 2026, over €3 billion will be spent supporting students with special educational needs. Part of this funding will allow for the introduction of extra special education teaching (SET) hours for post-primary schools to support coordination and transition efforts.
At primary level where primary schools open a number of special classes administrative principal and deputy principal posts are provided. There has also been a significant increase in the number of posts of responsibility allocated to primary schools in recent years.
While in special schools in acknowledgement of the particular challenges these schools face, my department has provided for an administrative deputy principal in all special schools from the beginning of the last school year and additional post-primary teaching hours to reflect the growing number of post-primary aged students in our special schools.
My department has provided these posts to support schools that provide special educational provision to ensure that these schools have an appropriate level of resources available to provide an education that meets the needs of students with special educational needs.
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. The Department has secured €39 million in Budget 2026 towards increased capitation funding for primary, post-primary and special schools to provide additional financial support towards their running costs. This will see an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to schools of €50 per pupil for primary schools from €224 to €274 and of €20 per student for post-primary schools from €386 to €406. This will also allow for an increase of €20 in capitation rates for Urban Band One DEIS primary schools, increasing the mainstream pupil rate in these schools to €294. The increased capitation rates will also see special schools now receive the same rates of mainstream capitation, for young people aged 12 and over, as for their peers in mainstream post-primary schools. These increases will take effect from September 2026. This funding will benefit schools around the country in managing their day-to-day running costs.
The increases announced in Budget 2026 are in addition to the 12% increases as part of Budget 2025. The last three Budgets have resulted in an increase in the level of capitation grant rates of 49.7% (€91) paid to primary schools and 28.5% (€90) paid to post-primary schools.
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. Enhanced rates are also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and Traveller pupils.
Voluntary contributions can be requested by schools; however, it must be made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay, and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own choice, and there is no compulsion to pay.
OGP frameworks are available to schools for a number of categories including facilities management, managed services, professional services, and utilities. Schools should ensure that they are availing of these available OGP procurement frameworks in order to get the best value for money for all school expenditure, in accordance with Circular 0060/2013. The benefits arising from these frameworks include cash savings, administrative savings from reduced duplication of tendering, greater purchasing expertise, improved consistency, enhanced service levels and legal certainty. Schools Procurement Unit (SPU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on procurement matters- www.spu.ie
The Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), funded by the Department, is an important source of advice and support to schools on financial matters
