The Programme for Government aims to bring the pupil teacher ratio to 19:1 in primary schools over the lifetime of the government and to "introduce targeted measures in schools with very large classes".
There will also be an increase in the Minor Works Scheme payment and the Government will ensure it is paid on an annual basis.
It plans to increase capitation funding to schools of all types to ensure that they can meet the rising day-to-day running costs and reduce the financial burden on families.
A new national "Small Schools Project" for all 1,300 small primary schools has been promised, in a bid to "protect these school communities and develop new administrative supports".
The provision of after-school and childcare in school buildings and campuses is to be expanded in tandem with the school building programme, which aims to provide better access for parents and communities.
A fund is to be established for schools to encourage collaboration between schools, which aims to foster creativity and shared learning.
Nationwide common application systems will also be rolled out to reduce stress on parents and students during application periods.
Teaching and learning methods are to be improved, especially as schools adapt to digital learning and the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.
More apprenticeship options
The CAO system is to be expanded to include more apprenticeship options.
The skills categories that can avail of the National Training Fund will be widened to include sectors such as healthcare and education.
The Government expects apprenticeship registrations to grow to at least 12,500 by 2030.
It will develop a new 5-year Apprenticeship Action Plan for 2026-2030 to set a "strategic vision for the sector and expand the skills categories".
The Government promises new courses in Green Skills to help support Ireland's transition to a green economy.
It aims to double the number of places in high demand healthcare professions, such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
The incoming Government says it will increase funding for research and continue to fund Taighde Éireann to "maintain Ireland’s global competitiveness".
Student accommodation
The Programme for Government promises to develop a multi-annual plan to "urgently" deliver new student accommodation, including through state financed purpose-built student accommodation on public or private lands.
It will allow Technological Universities to borrow funds to provide on-campus student accommodation.
Measures to boost the take-up of the Rent-a-Room Relief Scheme will also be examined.
The Government will ensure student accommodation leases align with the academic year, to make it easier for students to secure housing only for the months they need.
Further and Higher Education
The Programme for Government proposes to "unlock the National Training Fund" and develop a borrowing framework for Technological Universities to create "a clear pathway" to access capital funding for initiatives including student accommodation.
Universities will be supported to meet their carbon reduction targets under their Climate Action Plans.
Where a higher education institution operates across multiple campuses in a region, there will be balanced senior management representation based across the campuses.
Access
The Government plans to continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the administration as well as providing more further education and training places nationally.
It promises to increase maintenance grants and reform SUSI, as well as examining the introduction of a placement grant for students on mandatory placements.
Continued investment in the Student Assistance Fund is promised as well as "increased financial support to postgraduate students particularly in areas of critical skills shortages".
Free part-time courses will be expanded and the number of third-level pathways outside the Leaving Certificate points system will be expanded.
A single application process for apprenticeships, further and higher education will be introduced.
The Government will "seek to increase the percentage of students receiving their preferred choices" in the CAO system.
A "Second Chance" will be introduced for students going through a repeat year or changing courses on one occasion can access the Free Fees Initiative to avoid being penalised and having to pay higher rates of fees.
Safer children
The Programme for Government aims to "work with school leaders to ensure schools are smartphone-free zones".
It will review and expand the mental health and wellbeing pilots that are ongoing in primary and post-primary schools.
It will ensure the implementation of the actions in the Zero Tolerance Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The roll-out of the Behaviours of Concern guidelines will be implemented to ensure the needs of children with special educational needs are met.
Digital literacy and online safety education will be promoted through Webwise in collaboration with Coimisiún na Meán.
A "Comprehensive Wellness Approach" will focus on physical activity, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and positive social behaviour in schools, and will promote at least 60 minutes of physical activity throughout the full day for children of all abilities.
Survivors of historical abuse
The Government aims to complete the passage of legislation to provide supports to survivors of abuse in industrial schools and reformatories.
As per the scoping inquiry of Mary O’Toole SC the Government will establish and support the work of a Commission of Investigation as agreed by Cabinet in September 2024.
Free period products will also be provided in schools, as per the Programme for Government, "to ensure no student is held back due to period poverty".
Additional educational needs
The Programme for Government promises to continue to increase the number of special schools and special classes across the country, and "streamline the delivery of modular accommodation for special classes and special schools" so that it is in place in advance of the school year.
A new common application system is to be introduced for children applying to special schools and classes to make it a "more straightforward experience for parents" and work is to be done "to standardise admissions timelines" across schools.
Additional Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistants are to be hired to provide greater support to students and schools.
A dedicated "National Therapy Service in Education" is to be created, beginning with special schools.
For this to be implemented the Government will double the number of college places for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists and any other specialists required.
New expedited qualification routes for professionals with relevant skills and experience will be established.
The provision of funding supports for those seeking to upskill into therapy programmes will be examined.
Therapy assistant posts will be provided within the education sector to maximise therapists’ ability to deliver bespoke therapy services.
The review of the EPSEN Act will be completed, "making sure" it meets the needs of children with special educational needs.
Special education modules and placements in special schools or classes will be a "universal part of initial teacher training, which will be subject to assessment".
The free-of-charge Summer Programme for students with special educational needs will be expanded, particularly the in-school provision of the programme.
Early Intervention Classes will be expanded, and the Drumcondra Tests, which are used to gauge student learning, will be reformed to include assessments for dyslexia.
The Programme for Government aims to ensure every school for the deaf has qualified Irish Sign Language interpreters.
It also wants to complete the SNA workforce development programme, providing clarity on their role and career paths.
School transport
The Programme for Government aims to expand the School Transport Service to include 100,000 additional students by 2030 and implement the terms of the School Transport Review to reduce distance criteria and expand eligibility.
It aims to better manage the applications system and timely communication to parents and families, whilst ensuring the financial sustainability of the scheme.
An independent assessment will be carried out on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme and explore flexible work options to attract more drivers including women.
The Government promises to invest in ICT and the development of digital skills in schools.
It says it will embed ICT and coding in the curriculum, so that children and young people have skills to stay safe in a digital world, whilst developing the skills necessary to contribute to a digital industry and economy.
The Government aims to ensure families can access both non-denominational and faith-based education.
A convention will be held to "bring together all stakeholders in education".
Hot meals scheme
The Programme for Government aims to continue to expand and improve the Free Hot School Meals programme.
It promises to ensure that suppliers adhere to robust guidelines on the nutritional value of meals, the dietary requirements of students, reduce food waste and utilise recyclable packaging.
The Government plans to provide free schoolbooks to all children in the free education system and make changes "as needed" to the operation of this scheme.
A new DEIS Plus Scheme will be established to support schools with the highest level of educational disadvantage to improve educational outcomes, particularly in literacy and numeracy.
The Junior Certificate School Programme School Library Programme will be expanded to include additional schools.
An expansion of the Transition Year Programme is to be promoted to address the barriers that might prevent take-up by students.
The Programme for Government aims to increase funding for school buildings.
It promises to ensure, through the National Development Programme (NDP) process, that adequate funding is available for new school places in areas of demographic growth, new special education provision, essential refurbishment and maintenance, ICT and digital and climate action.
There will be an increase in the Minor Works Scheme payment and the Government will ensure it is paid on an annual basis.
The development of Physical Education halls and sporting facilities (including yards and play areas) for schools will be prioritised in conjunction with the Sports Capital Fund.
New guidelines will be implemented for schools to open up their facilities to communities outside of school hours.
The School Building Unit will be supported to ensure "the timely delivery of school building projects".
