Funding our primary and special schools must be a core responsibility of government. Yet these schools continually face a funding crisis. This has placed an intolerable burden on school communities, with both teachers and parents increasingly involved in fundraising efforts simply to keep the lights on. School leaders have been left under severe stress as they struggle to keep schools running.
Every school should receive adequate funding to ensure the continued delivery of primary and special education in their community. This should not depend on cake sales, raffles, or the delaying of bill payments while school management wait for clarity on grants.
It is time for a targeted uplift in the primary capitation grant, the main source of school funding. The 2025/26 capitation grant, set at €224 per pupil, falls far short of what is required to operate a modern school. Inflation has driven up the costs of essentials such as energy, insurance, cleaning, and teaching resources. Temporary grants such as enhanced cleaning and cost-of-living supports have been cut in the last two budgets.
The INTO is calling on government to increase the primary capitation grant by €75 per pupil in Budget 2026. This uplift is essential to support the basic operation of schools and ensure that all children, especially those who experience educational disadvantage, have access to a fully resourced and equitable education system.
Cost: €26.6 million per year
