Budget 2027 provides an opportunity for the Government to build on the progress made in recent budgets through targeted investment in school choice, inclusion, school infrastructure, school leadership and governance. The following recommendations outline the priority investments needed to strengthen Ireland’s education system and help ensure every child can access a high-quality, inclusive education.
1. Fund school patronage transfers
- Establish a dedicated reconfiguration budget within the Department of Education and Youth.
- Provide a €15,000 reconfiguration grant for each school patronage transfer.
- Provide a €10,000 transition grant for each school transferring patronage.
2. Increase primary capitation funding
- Increase the primary capitation grant to €300 per pupil.
- Introduce enhanced capitation funding for new and developing schools.
3. Support voluntary school management
- Increase Educate Together’s annual core grant to €300,394, with future increases linked to inflation and network growth.
- Fund the secondment of an experienced principal to support school governance, management and growth.
4. Invest in inclusion
- Fund implementation of the national roadmap for inclusive education.
- Reform staffing allocation models to better reflect the needs of individual schools.
- Increase investment in therapeutic supports, school leadership and professional learning.
- Provide additional physical space to support inclusive education where required.
5. Invest in school buildings
- Prioritise permanent buildings for new and developing schools.
- Expand multi-denominational provision in line with demonstrated parental demand.
- Increase the Primary Minor Works Grant and introduce an equivalent scheme for second-level schools.
- Provide high-quality temporary accommodation while permanent buildings are being delivered.
6. Increase investment in education
- Commit to increasing public investment in education to at least the OECD average.
Educate Together welcomes the progress made in recent budgets to strengthen Ireland’s education system. However, sustained investment is still needed to help ensure that that every child and young person can access a high-quality, inclusive education in their local area, regardless of their background or educational needs.
The recommendations in this submission represent targeted, practical investments that will strengthen schools, support inclusion, expand school choice and help ensure that the education system is equipped to meet growing demand. Investing in education is an investment in Ireland’s future.