Labour slams lack of ambition in education budget
Labour slams lack of ambition in education budget - The Labour Party
Labour’s Education Spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has criticised the Government’s 2026 Budget for its lack of ambition in education, saying it fails to tackle child poverty, overcrowded classrooms, underfunded schools, and the ongoing mistreatment of education workers. Despite the Tanaiste declaring this a “child poverty budget”, there is little in it to support the most disadvantaged children or the schools that serve them.
Deputy Kenny said:
“The absence of any mention of reducing class ratios in this budget is a clear statement of intent. This Government has no plan to reduce the pressure on teachers, pupils or parents.
“I welcome the announcement of new Special Needs Assistants and Special Education Teachers — once these are genuinely new roles and not reallocated from mainstream classrooms. Children with additional needs deserve proper, dedicated support.
“There is also no specific mention of school secretaries or caretakers. That silence speaks volumes. This Government is completely happy to continue screwing workers over. These staff are the backbone of our school communities, yet they remain treated as second-class employees year after year.
“While Labour welcomes the hot school meals programme in primary schools, it is unacceptable that it is not yet planned for roll out to secondary and special schools. Every child, regardless of age or ability, deserves a hot meal during the school day. Anything less is a failure to deliver equality.
“On funding, the increase to the capitation grant of €50 for primary schools is minimal, and the €20 increase for post-primary is frankly poor. Schools are already under financial strain trying to meet rising costs. Meanwhile, the capital allocation for 2026 only allows for the progress of existing school builds, leaving those who have applied for new schools out in the cold. Once again, the Government is kicking new infrastructure down the road.
“The so-called ‘continued investment’ in school transport is another empty promise. There are no details or figures to back it up. Every year we hear the same vague commitments, while families across the country continue to struggle to access safe and reliable school transport.
“The Government has now announced DEIS Plus for the second time, yet there is still no clarity on what the funding will actually be. They can produce surgically accurate figures for restauranteurs and builders, but not for our most disadvantaged children. It’s astonishing that in what Simon Harris has declared a ‘child poverty budget’, the Government cannot even outline how it intends to resource the schools serving those most in need.”
“This budget is another missed opportunity to show real ambition for Ireland’s children, teachers, and school communities. It is not enough to make token gestures while ignoring the major issues at the heart of our education system. The Government must commit to reducing class sizes, properly funding schools, delivering equal access to hot meals, and treating education workers with the respect they deserve.”