Press Releases10 Oct 17

Statement on education element of Budget 2018

The General Synod Board of Education (RI) of the Church of Ireland welcomes the announcement in today’s Budget that the pupil–teacher ratio at primary level will reduce to 26:1. The reduction in the ratio together with the announced increase in resources to fund additional release days for teaching principals will be of particular benefit to smaller schools. The decision to increase the number of special needs assistants will be welcomed by both schools and parents.

While the Board is disappointed that the Capitation Grant for Primary Schools has not been restored to its pre–2012 level, the Board acknowledges that the allocation of 16.6% of total expenditure (€10 billion) signals an ongoing investment of resources into educational provision within available resources.