2nd October 2024
Following a budget briefing by the Department of Education today, INTO President Carmel Browne wishes to express gratitude to all members who lobbied public representatives and sent emails to their TDs ahead of the Budget. Once again, the efforts of our members have delivered for the primary education sector, albeit falling short on reducing class sizes.
While significant gains have been made with the restoration of posts of responsibility and a 12% increase in capitation grants coupled with another cost-of-living package for schools, the government’s failure to tackle overcrowded classrooms for the second consecutive year is a deep disappointment.
During the lifetime of the current government, our annual campaigning has successfully persuaded politicians to significantly increase investment in primary and special education. This has led to a reduction of three pupils in the staffing schedule, an uplift in primary capitation grants by €41 per pupil, the restoration of 1,000 Assistant Principal posts, the allocation of over 2000 additional teaching posts to special education settings, the expansion of the DEIS scheme, the establishment of a nationwide network of supply panels, weekly leadership and management days for teaching principals, the expansion of the Summer programme and the provision of mental health supports for many pupils.
Compared to the 2024 allocation for the Department of Education, Budget 2025 has announced an additional €755 million in current expenditure and an extra €360 million in capital expenditure for 2025.
Following today’s briefing from the Department of Education, the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) has analysed the education commitments in Budget 2025. Below is a general overview based on the information made available to the union today. We will continue to engage with the Department of Education in the coming days to secure more detail on the expenditure commitments arising from the budget.
Additional School Funding
Budget 2025 provided for a 12% increase in capitation funding paid to schools for the 2025/26 academic year, as well as an additional €45 million in cost of living supports for all primary, special, and post-primary schools under the free scheme, to help them manage increased costs.
500 Posts of Responsibility
The Department of Education has today confirmed that 500 AP2 posts will be provided in primary schools.
Special Education Package
An additional 768 teachers will be provided in special education, working in special classes, special schools, and mainstream settings to support children with SEN.
The Department of Education also confirmed today that it will hire an additional 1,600 SNAs.
Please note, the breakdown between primary, post-primary, and special schools has not yet been clarified.
Summer Programme
€65m in permanent funding for the 2025 Summer Programme in DEIS schools and Special Education Settings will be provided for under the budget.
Primary Curriculum Framework
Funding will be made available to support the roll out of the redeveloped primary curriculum framework.
The INTO will seek to engage directly with the Department of Education to ensure that the funding for the primary education is substantial.
Social Inclusion Supports
Additional funding for social inclusion programmes including the School Completion Programme, Tusla Education Supports Services, the Traveller and Roma Education strategy and supports for children who attend alternative education settings.
In-School Counselling Pilot Scheme
Maintenance and continuation of primary counselling project with a view to placing the scheme on a more permanent basis going forward.
Physical Education
Funding for the expansion of the Active School Flag programme in primary schools to increase the number of flags awarded and progress from pilot phase to a full roll-out of the post-primary programme and resourcing for the Physical Activity in Teaching and Learning Pilot Scheme.
Free School Meals
Free school meals extended to all primary schools.
School Transport scheme
Over €50 million in additional funding for the School Transport Scheme to provide more places for children with special educational needs and to cover bus contractor costs. Reduced school transport scheme fees are being kept in place for families next year. They will remain at €50 for primary students, €75 for post-primary students and €125 for a family ticket. Funding for the roll out of school transport pilot projects and to increase the Special Transport grant rate.
Ukrainian Pupils
Continuation of range of resources and funding to support students from Ukraine including EAL supports.
Capital Expenditure
Capital funding in 2025, as agreed under the National Development Plan, will support the continued progression of the circa 350 major building projects that are currently under construction. The continued rollout of the NDP will involve a further approximately 200 major school building projects that are currently at advanced design or tender stage commencing construction over the course of 2025 and early 2026. Funding in 2025 will also allow work to progress on the decarbonisation pathfinder programme for schools, a key commitment of the Climate Action Plan.