Education

The education of our children is the bedrock of our country’s future; economically, socially and culturally. All the research suggests that well-targeted investment in education is paid back many times over, with children and young people with high quality educational experiences having better life outcomes and employment prospects.

Ireland has a strong track record on education, with one of the highest school and third level completion rates in Europe. We have thousands of dedicated teachers and support staff delivering high quality education across the country.

However, we are failing to invest adequately in our infrastructure and people, with a low educational spend compared with European neighbours. Despite the fact education is a fundamental human right for all children as enshrined in the Irish constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children with disabilities are being failed. And though there have been some positive recent developments, like free textbooks and an extension of hot school meals, the cost of education remains too high, and too many children are still being left behind.

Ireland should be a republic in which every child has the opportunity to achieve their potential. That can only happen with a well-resourced, modern and inclusive education system.

Our Education Priorities

• Make primary and secondary education truly free
• Establish a Citizens’ Assembly on the future of the education system
• Have at least one specialist emotional counsellor/therapist on staff in all schools.
• Reduce teacher allocation ratio at primary level to 20:1 and at secondary level to 18:1.
• Reduce third level fees by phasing out the student contribution charge.
• Increase third level core funding through State contributions.

Find Out More

You can read more about our policies and plans in our Education policy document, linked below.