The State of Education Investment in Ireland: A Call for Change
Recent data from the OECD has revealed that Ireland is falling behind when it comes to investing in education. Ranking last out of 34 countries in terms of GDP allocated to education, Ireland only spends 2.8% compared to the OECD average of 5.7%. This lack of funding is having a detrimental impact on primary, secondary, and tertiary education across the country.
Primary schools, in particular, are struggling to cover basic costs, with the General Secretary of the INTO calling for a 20% increase in day-to-day funding. The situation is even more dire at the secondary level, with Ireland’s investment falling far below the OECD average, impacting the quality of education provided.
The Government is being urged by teachers’ unions to prioritize education funding in Budget 2025 to improve class sizes, increase resources for special education, and address the funding crisis in third-level institutions. The time for change is now to provide a better future for Ireland’s students.