Education Estimates focus on special needs

Approximately half of the entire nine per cent increase set for education in 2005 will go to paying first and second level teaching staff, according to Estimate figures for education today.

An additional €544m in total is to be invested in education in 2005 with €245 million to be allocated to teaching staff, including an additional 700 teachers as well as 700 new Special Needs Assistants (SNAs).

The SNAs are to be taken on as part of a major initiative to alleviate pressure on the disadvantaged that will see €67 million invested into the sector, bringing its total to €628 million. This investment will cater for the disadvantaged from pre-school to adult literacy levels and provide for special school transport, special grants and funding for dedicated units.

Speaking at Government Buildings this afternoon, the Minister for Education, Ms Hanafin, defended her decision, to invest heavily in teaching staff, saying it is essential and offers suitable incentive for the right people to begin and  continue a career in teaching.

"Some commentators critical of benchmarking and the pay agreements apparently forget that investment in public services like education requires investment in people and increased expenditure on pay," said the minister.  "This is only right because it ensures the those charged with the delivering for our children and students are fairly rewarded and that we continue to attract the best people teaching."

The minister refutes suggestions that the third level sector will suffer in the new year, pointing to a six per cent rise that includes research bonuses as well as running costs, after the sector received no increase last year.

"Last year....the third level sector got no increase at all," said Ms Hanafin, "so we are happy today that they are able to get the increase that we have given them, an increase that  includes not just the running cost of the universities and institutes, but also substantial money going into research..."

Universtities will receive a €40 million injection up to €670 million, while Institutes of Technology will get an extra €32 million to bring their total to €478 million.

The minister also announced a 10 per cent increase per pupil in primary school funding, bringing the total to €133.58 per student.

"On top of the increase in the basic capitation grant," said Ms Hanafin.  "I am also providing an additional payment of €10 per pupil to voluntary secondary schools in order to further equalise state support for that sector. A voluntary post-primary school will thus receive an extra €26, or total of €296, per pupil next year."

Youth services such as clubs and information centres are also set to benefit by an extra 18 per cent, or €33.9 million.