Written answer
School Staff
382. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the additional teaching resources which are targeted to be put in place for primary schools during the 2026-2027 term; and if she will confirm if there are currently 996 primary teaching posts currently unfilled. [51644/26]
Comment on this
Budget 2026 provided an increase of €845 million in core current funding for education and youth on the figure allocated for 2025, while the total investment figure also includes €1.6 billion allocated for 2026 as part of the National Development Plan 2026 – 2030. This funding reflects the Government’s continued commitment, under the Programme for Government, to ensuring that every child and young person can learn, thrive and reach their full potential. It builds on the progress made in recent years, while recognising that further work is needed to make education more inclusive and equitable for all.
Funding has been provided for 860 special education teachers, across special schools and mainstream settings, along with more than 1700 SNAs, a €48 million full-year investment across both the DEIS strategy and the DEIS Plus scheme. Approximately 30,000 children and young people attending DEIS Plus schools will benefit from these targeted supports. Schools in the DEIS Plus scheme will receive strengthened, research-informed supports across wellbeing, attendance, engagement, guidance, leadership capacity, community partnerships and access to services, including the introduction of a new positive mental health and wellbeing initiative to support a whole-school approach to student wellbeing. In addition, school leadership supports have been increased and will see additional deputy principals in primary schools in the 2026/27 school year.
According to the latest published figures from November 2025, 996 posts or 2.5% of allocated posts at primary level are unutilised. Figures related to the teaching workforce in Ireland for the 2025/26 school year can be found at the following link <https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/5935f213/Teacher_Workforce_Data_Report_2026.pdf>