29th May 2025
The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) welcomes today’s long-awaited announcement that the Minor Works Grant for the 2025/26 school year and the next instalment of the ICT funding are being paid to primary and special schools.
The vital minor works funding stream, which includes a base grant of €5,500 per school along with €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per pupil in a special class, supports essential maintenance and improvements to school buildings, the purchase of standard furniture, PE equipment, and enhancements to outdoor learning environments.
The ICT grant being paid today also includes a base grant of €2,000 per primary school, with additional per-pupil allocations ranging from €25.33 to €30.40, depending on the student’s educational needs and school setting.
The INTO has consistently highlighted the importance of timely and predictable school funding. The delay in issuing the Minor Works Grant this year caused much uncertainty for school leaders. With schools already contending with chronic underfunding, many have been forced to rely on fundraising simply to meet basic operational costs.
Commenting on today’s announcement, INTO General Secretary John Boyle said:
While today’s payment is welcome, we urge the Department of Education to commit to establishing a clear calendar of school funding payments. Certainty around the timing of these payments would greatly support school leaders in managing the financial demands of maintaining safe and functional school environments.
The Minor Works and ICT grants are essential, but they are not sufficient for the delivery of a world class education system. Schools continue to operate without adequate funding, and the INTO will continue to campaign for full government investment in primary and special education including a substantial increase in the primary capitation grant. No school should have to fundraise to keep the lights on or provide basic classroom resources.