1098. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider the proposal from the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation for the allocation of 1,000 additional primary teachers in Budget 2027, with a view to improving inclusive education, reducing teacher workload pressures, and strengthening leadership and stability within schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59661/26]

1099. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures she intends to introduce to reduce oversized primary school class sizes, given that 419,823 children are currently in classes above the EU average of 19 pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59657/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1098 and 1099 together.

The Government is investing a record €14.1 billion in education and schools through Budget 2026. This record level of investment has enabled significant progress in tackling educational disadvantage and supporting children and young people with special educational needs to achieve their full potential. Funding has been provided for 860 additional special education teachers across special schools and mainstream settings, together with more than 1,700 additional special needs assistants. Budget 2026 also includes an additional €48 million full-year investment across both the DEIS strategy and the DEIS Plus scheme, benefiting approximately 30,000 children and young people attending DEIS Plus schools as well as one in four children across schools in the DES programme.

Under the Programme for Government, there is a commitment to reduce the general primary pupil : teacher ratio to 19:1 over the lifetime of the Government and to introduce targeted measures for schools with very large classes. This builds on substantial progress already made.

The primary staffing schedule has improved from an average allocation ratio of 26:1 five years ago to 23:1 for the current school year, the lowest ever at primary level. Average class sizes have fallen from 24.1 to 21.9 pupils, while the overall pupil : teacher ratio improved from 15:1 in 2019/20 to 12.6:1 in 2023/24, comparing favourably with the OECD average of 14:1. More favourable staffing arrangements also apply in DEIS Urban Band 1 schools.

I am conscious of the importance of continuing to reduce class sizes and improve teacher allocations at primary level. Any further measures, including proposals for additional teaching posts, will be considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.