I can confirm that there are currently 26 applications for capital funding from schools that are at various stages of the assessment process. It is not possible to give an estimated cost of the projects at this stage. My department endeavours to process all applications in line with NDP funding priorities as quickly as possible. However, the Deputy will appreciate that applications for smaller projects such as repurposing to create special education classrooms, can be progressed more quickly than large scale projects. Officials engage with the relevant school authorities regarding the assessment process in relation to their application.
Standardised tests for Irish have been available for Irish-medium (TGD-G) and English-medium (TDG-R) primary schools since 2010. The redevelopment of these tests is currently underway by the Educational Research Centre (ERC). It is envisaged that the project will take 4.5 - 5 years for each of the tests to be completed with costs for the development estimated in the region of €5 million.
Schools currently receive grant funding to purchase standardised tests and the amounts are reviewed from time to time. Schools currently receive:
• €6.00 per pupil in English-medium schools, with a minimum payment of €140
• €7.50 per pupil in Irish-medium schools, with a minimum payment of €162.
These funds should be used to buy test instruments and materials such as teachers’ manuals, scoring services or test-related software. Any remaining funds, after covering test costs, may be used to buy additional tests to better understand pupils’ needs and support inclusion.
With regards to the Gaeltacht Learning Period, the current mandatory requirement for primary initial teacher education programmes, is a two-week placement. The cost is c. €2.3 million. An additional week added to the Gaeltacht Learning Period would cost €1,188,070, based on current rates and expected intake of students in the upcoming year.
COGG funding in 2026 amounts to €4,816,000. The estimated cost of increasing COGG’s funding is set out below:
|
|
+5%
|
+10%
|
+15%
|
+20%
|
+*3.50%
|
|
€4,816,000
|
€5,056,800
|
€5,297,600
|
€5,538,400
|
€5,779,200
|
€4,984,560
|
In addition to core funding, funding for six Education Officers seconded to COGG is paid directly from my department’s teacher payroll, at a cost of €5,416,000. Should additional core funding result in the need for additional staff, this cost would also increase.
In relation to the Gaeltacht teaching allowance and the Irish medium teaching allowance, the current pay agreement, Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2024-2026, contains a local bargaining provision under which employers and trade unions/associations may negotiate additional changes in rates of pay and/or conditions of employment.
In this regard, my department had extensive and constructive engagement with the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), who represent primary school teachers, and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation (DPER). The INTO elected to use its funding under the 1% local bargaining tranche to introduce a series of allowances, which have been agreed with my department and verified by DPER, including a Gaeltacht Allowance and a Teaching through Irish allowance.
As such matters under industrial relations processes are confidential to the parties it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.
