1410. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of the Teachers Union of Ireland with regard to Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58828/26]

1411. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of an organisation (details supplied) with regard to Budget 2027,; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58829/26]

1412. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of an organisation (details supplied) with regard to Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58830/26]

1413. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of a union (details supplied) with regard to Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58831/26]

1414. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of a union (details supplied) with regard to Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58832/26]

1415. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of an association (details supplied) with regard to Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58833/26]

1416. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has engaged with officials of a union (details supplied) with regard to Budget 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58834/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1410 to 1416, inclusive, together.

Throughout the year, I, and officials of my Department, have met with a number of representative bodies, including the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI), the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), Fórsa and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), on a broad range of matters, including issues relating to future budgets. According to our records for 2026, neither SIPTU nor Unite the Union has engaged with me or officials of my Department in relation to budget 2027, engagement on issues relating to their members may arise in other departmental forums.

In the lead up to the Budget, my Department receives a wide range of pre-budget submissions from stakeholders across the education sector, as well as from organisations involved in broader areas of public policy. As in previous years, all relevant submissions are carefully considered and will help inform the budgetary priorities I seek to advance as part of Budget 2027.

Over the past number of years, the Government has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to strengthening our education and youth sectors. This includes increased capitation funding for schools, the allocation of thousands of additional teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, enhanced supports for school leadership, smaller class sizes, targeted measures to address teacher supply, increased funding for youth services, the introduction of an Education Therapy Service, new Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools (DEIS) supports and the provision of free schoolbooks to ease financial pressure on families.

Looking ahead to Budget 2027, my priority remains to build on this progress and to deliver on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government, while continuing to support students, staff, and families across the education sector.