Niamh Smyth
Question:129. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address concerns raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42804/18]
View answerThursday, 18 October 2018
Questions (129)
Written answers
The Deputy will be aware of the many pressing demands within Education which my Department has had to consider in recent years. Important changes have been made resourcing and reforming provision for children with Special Educational Needs, rolling out Junior Cycle Reform, strengthening school leadership, reducing Primary Class Size, restoring Guidance Teachers, providing for extra students at all levels, providing for new skill needs in Apprenticeships and Traineeships and in Higher Education.
Budget 2019 marks the third year of a major reinvestment in the education sector, as we continue to implement the Action Plan for Education, our plan to make Ireland’s education and training service the best in Europe by 2026. In 2019, the budget for the Department of Education and Skills will increase by €674 million, a 6.7% increase on last year. In total, the Education budget will have increased by €1.7 billion compared to 2016.
Budget 2019 will see numbers employed in our schools reach the highest ever level. Over 1,300 additional posts in schools will be funded, including more than 370 teaching posts to cater for growth in student population and additional special classes.
Budget 2018 provided for a one point improvement in the staffing schedule in primary schools which brings the position to the most favourable ever seen at primary level. This measure came into effect in the current school year. The 2018/19 school year saw an increase of over 6000 teaching posts in our schools compared to the 2015/16 school year.
My Department fully recognises the need to improve capitation funding for schools. I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide for a 5% increase in capitation funding for primary and post primary schools that will apply from the start of the 2019/20 school year. Over the course of the school year 2019/20, an additional €10 million will be allocated to primary and post primary schools, of which €4 million will be allocated in 2019.
My Department must be prudent in the context of ongoing budgetary pressures and has to prioritise where it is not possible to do everything that we would like to do in the Education Sector in any one year especially in the light of increasing enrolments. It is my intention to seek funding for further capitation increases in future budgets.
On 14 September 2018 the announcement of the major package of investment in education under Project Ireland confirmed that, starting this year, all primary schools will receive the €29 million minor works grant in either December or early January of each school year.
Earlier this year the Teacher Supply Steering Group was established. The Group is considering the issues that relate to teacher supply. The matter of supply panels is part of that consideration.
The main features of Budget 2019 in respect of the education sector is available on the Department website.