Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Education Minister Richard Bruton and Employment and Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty today visited Stanhope Primary School to meet with students, parents and teachers returning on their first day back at school.
Education is a huge focus for Ireland as a country. Over 1 million people – more than 1 in 4 of our citizens – are involved in our education system.
The government’s ambition is to make the Irish education and training service the best in Europe within a decade. In Budget 2017, Minister Bruton secured €458m which has allowed the government to start an ambitious programme of reinvestment in education.
Visiting Stanhope Primary School, An Taoiseach said:
Today is a big day in Ireland when over 1 million people head to classrooms across the country. To all those involved – students, parents, teachers, volunteers, everyone – I want to thank you for the contribution you've making in Educating our young people and for doing it with such passion and diligence. So much of the Government support, over 11% of our total spending every year, is dedicated to pre-school, primary and second level education and rightly so. I want to wish everyone good luck as they start this school year.
Minister Bruton said:
The basic aim of this Government is to sustain our economic progress and use it to build a fair and compassionate society. No area is more important to this vision than education.
We are lucky in Ireland to have such a dedicated and committed teaching profession. Our teachers and school leaders will continue to play a pivotal role in helping children to achieve their potential. We have to support our teachers and school leaders, through up-skilling, mentoring and coaching, so they support our children to fulfil their potential.
Minister Doherty said:
This year’s increase – of 25% - in the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance will make a real difference in helping families get ready for another school year. The increase from €100 to €125 for children aged 4 to 11 and from €200 to €250 for children aged 12 years helps families most in need and our investment of over €47.4m on the allowance for 2017 demonstrates a clear commitment to supporting children and families at this expensive time of year.
