Capitation rates paid to schools to be increased
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has announced an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to all schools.
This will include, on a per pupil basis, €50 for primary and special schools (from €224 to €274), and €20 for post-primary schools (from €386 to €406).
In addition, Mr Chambers said the Department’s €1.6bn capital allocation for 2026 “will progress delivery of over 300 school building projects with the majority of these expected to be completed in 2026 and 2027”.
“Within this, there will be a strong focus on delivering additional capacity for approximately 2,800 places for special classes and special schools and the first tranche of projects under a Climate Action Summer Works Scheme.”
Overall, the Department of Education and Youth will receive funding of €13.1bn for 2026.
The funding will go towards 1,717 additional Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). The Government said this funding will see the highest number of SNAs we have ever had in our education system, at almost 24,900.
In addition, there will be an increase of 1,042 teacher posts, including 860 additional teachers working across various Special Educational Needs settings including in mainstream, special classes and special schools.
Investment in the School Transport Scheme will bring 170,000 students to and from school.
As part of Budget 2026, the education funding will support the implementation of DEIS Plus and a new DEIS Plan, while the planned rollout of the Education Therapy Service will commence in special schools providing access to essential therapy services.
Additional funding for young people through youth services is also being provided, with an increased focus on capital investment.
Dept of Further and Higher Education to receive funding of almost €5bn
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will receive funding of almost €5bn in 2026.
According to Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, €4.1bn of current expenditure will allow for increased delivery of apprenticeships to support key infrastructure projects for the economy; the provision of 1,110 new places in key health and social care professions to meet the workforce needs of the health, disability and education sectors; and a permanent reduction of €500 in the student contribution fee to support students facing rising living expenses.
Meanwhile, a capital allocation of €810mn will fund key infrastructure projects, including the recently established Taighde Éireann, student accommodation projects at Maynooth University and University College Dublin, development and operation of 11 technological university facilities covering 70,000 sq m and supporting stem and related disciplines.
This capital allocation will also go towards two new veterinary medicine colleges to almost double the number of veterinary graduates, and the progression of centres of excellence for retrofit skills, including Near Zero Energy Buildings and the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction under Housing for All.
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