Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth Darren O’Rourke TD attended the INTO Congress this week. Teachers from across the state reported unprecedented strain on primary schools.

Teachers and principals stated the government provides insufficient support to the sector. Ireland maintains the largest primary class sizes in Europe with staffing ratios above the EU norm.

Schools face difficulties covering basic utilities costs. Voluntary contributions from parents cover expenses to keep lights on and buildings warm.

Ireland allocates 2.8% of GDP to education below the OECD average of 4.7%. This results in €1,385 less spending per student than the average.

The General Secretary noted 9-in-10 teachers report moderate to high burnout. Forty-two percent indicated they are unlikely to stay in the profession long-term.

Teachers cited cost of housing, fuel prices, rising inflation, and unresolved pay issues as factors driving an exodus from the profession and the country.

Nearly a quarter of a million children with additional needs attend mainstream classes. Twenty thousand children remain on assessment waiting lists.

O’Rourke called on Minister Hildegarde Naughton to commit to reducing class sizes, investing in special education, addressing workload and pay, and providing necessary school resources.