Statement by Clive Byrne, Director of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals on Budget 2019

“There are many welcome elements for our education system outlined by Minister Donohoe in his Budget 2019 speech this afternoon, including a €196 million increase in capital spending, contained within the overall increase of 6.7% in spending on education”, Mr. Byrne said.  

 “New school buildings and the repair and refurbishment of our existing schools is long overdue and now badly needed, particularly at secondary level, so while positive, this level of investment needs to accelerate over coming years”, noted Byrne.

 “The increase of 5% to the capitation grant is positive. Increased capitation is essential to the day-to-day running of our schools and in delivering education to a high standard. School principals have been under increasing pressure to meet both of these challenges in recent years, so anything which reduces this burden is welcome.

 Other key initiatives which will help to future-proof our education system for families, our schools and wider community, include the provision for an additional 1300 posts across the education system, an increase to Back to School allowance of €25, and the ongoing support for developing school leadership roles within our schools.

 Investment in education is vital to Ireland’s broader success, so the NAPD now urges the Government to continue this investment momentum”, concluded Mr. Byrne.

ENDS