338. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost to restore 250 assistant principal 1 posts and 1,450 assistant principal 2 posts to the primary school sector from 1 September 2025. [21744/24]

I recognise the key role school leadership in improving educational outcomes by creating a positive school climate and environment as well as motivating and empowering educators and learners within their school communities.

The Sectoral Bargaining process under Building Momentum for the primary sector has been used to increase posts of responsibility (POR) in primary and special schools by 1,450 posts.

Budget 2024 has also provided for an additional 500 posts of responsibility (Assistant Principal II) at both primary and post-primary level for the 2024/25 school year and a revised Post of Responsibility Schedule has issued to schools to reflect this increase in Assistant Principal II posts available to schools from September 2024.

The current annual rates for Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II posts are €9,974 and €4,413 respectively.