1554. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated annual cost of providing an additional 500, 1,000 and 1,500 posts of responsibility across primary and post-primary schools respectively; the current number of posts of responsibility compared with 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64033/26]

At primary level there are approximately 1,473 AP I posts, and over 8,600 AP II posts allocated. Prior to the moratorium on the posts of responsibilities in 2008 there were 1,605 AP Is, and 8,592 AP IIs. Budget 2025 fully restored the number of AP IIs in primary schools. The API allowance is €10,692 and the APII allowance is €4,730 at primary level.

In relation to the post-primary numbers, data is provided in respect of the 475 voluntary and community and comprehensive schools (i.e. the Department's payroll). In these schools, there are currently 3,571 AP I's and 4,336 APII positions compared to 3,431 AP I and 5,276 AP II in 2008. The current annual rates for Assistant Principal I and Assistant Principal II posts in post-primary are €10,728 and €4,747, respectively.

Almost 40% of teachers at primary and post-primary level currently receive an allowance through the leadership and management structure, including Principal, Deputy Principal, AP I and AP II posts. This represents a substantial investment in school leadership and middle management and indicates that leadership responsibilities are already widely distributed across the teaching workforce.