Education Employment Boost With Record Budget Allocation

A record Budget allocation of €11.1 billion for the Department of Education and Skills is expected to fund hundreds of new staff and more higher education places and apprenticeships, it's been revealed.

Budget 2020 brought an increase of €360 million, facilitating major reinvestment in Ireland's education and training system.

The fourth successive year of increased funds, the Department's total package has risen by almost €2 billion since 2016.

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. said: "Amidst the unknowns of Brexit and the constraints this has imposed on Budget 2020, we must ensure we remain dedicated to doing our best for the most vulnerable and continue to invest in education for future generations."

The money will build on the drive to reduce class sizes and give more flexibility to principals who teach. It is expected to provide more sustainability for small schools- the lifeblood of communities. Also included is more funding for higher education, improved school buildings and new facilities at universities and colleges.

According to the Department, some of the key features include:

• 581 new teachers – 408 of whom will be working with children with special needs.

• Some 1,064 additional special needs assistants will be hired to work with children with special educational needs in schools. There will be almost 17,000 SNAs in our schools.

• A fund worth €60 million for higher education institutions that seek to create new and diverse courses to expand the number of student places while preparing young people for a fast-changing world of work.

• A capital allocation for new, bigger and more energy-efficient school buildings and third level facilities with a €922 million budget for 2020 under Project Ireland 2040.

• All schools will see a 2.5% increase in the State's capitation grant per child from September 2020.

• A €1m investment to provide funding for school books in primary schools.

• Restoration of the Gaeltacht grant for students on State-funded Initial Teacher Education programmes.

• An additional €26 million for school transport.

• €3.3m investment in universities to identify and drive research areas of growth, enhance international collaboration, raise the third level profile and engagement with international and industry research funders.

• €27 million for apprenticeships. It will support 7,000 apprenticeship registrations in 2020, and a range of new schemes.