Productivity not a one-way street
It is time the Department of Education was held to the same standards of efficiency it expects of others
Department of Education
What is the Department of Education’s plan for primary school consultation?
The department committed a year ago to drawing up best-practice guidance but says now only that 'work is ongoing'
More than 150 schools receive bomb threat email on same day as public sector strike
Schools in the Dublin and Kildare regions understood to be operating as normal while taking the advice of gardaí
Adventures as Gaeilge: The bestselling Irish-language author who captivated young readers
English-born Cathal Ó Sándair wrote 160 books in Irish, many featuring the suave sleuth Réics Carló
Naughton makes ‘no apologies’ for extra €646m in education funding after budget overrun
Department of Education is allocated €14.4 billion for Budget 2027, an increase of €712 million on last year
Student contribution fees permanently cut by €150 in Budget 2027
Budget 2027 also includes a €56m increase in special educational needs support, including 2,339 more special needs assistants
New public spending efficiency taskforce to be established within three months
Jack Chambers says new body will scrutinise day-to-day public spending and see where greater value for money can be delivered
Budget talks enter ‘banging fists on the table’ phase – metaphorically at least
Inside Politics: Meanwhile, Brexit is back and the Drumcree stand-off continues
Tackling education inequality: Social connections must be prioritised in Deis Plus schools
Newly appointed staff working with families of economically disadvantaged students can fundamentally alter the life trajectories of young people
The Irish Times view on Ireland’s education system: a detailed comparison with some surprises
Despite spending less than the OECD average, its educational outcomes are impressive
Ireland spends less on education than OECD average, new data shows
The report also found the number of primary teachers in Ireland increased by 27 per cent over the last seven years, which is much higher than the OECD average
Irish schools are world leaders in a green initiative. So why are most covered in tarmac?
Nature education here has been described by one expert as ‘dismal’. What could be done better?
Inside Budget 2027: ‘The meeting was brutal’ - the tensions on the road to new spending package
In 10 days Simon Harris and Jack Chambers will present their budget – in Government back rooms the horse-trading with fellow Ministers is in full swing
As controversy grows over Leaving Cert reform, Northern Ireland is going the other way
It should be possible to learn fascinating lessons by comparing outcomes either side of the Border
‘Widespread concern’ among those tasked with senior cycle reform, ASTI says
Union tells Minister and curriculum council of ‘frustrations’ with running of subject development groups
Soldiers’ rations cut, naval radar plan paused as Defence Forces ordered to save millions
Military sources say ‘all spending’ paused barring something that could prevent a ship going to sea
Teachers back industrial action including one-day strike that would close primary schools
Union says ballot result is ‘an emphatic mandate from teachers in primary and special schools who are struggling to make ends meet’
State’s newest Irish language school eyes ex-Christian Brothers monastery next door
Gaelcholáiste Synge tells Department of Education it needs space for more classrooms and pupils using wheelchairs
Government levy will impact funding for Uisce Éireann, IDA, Fáilte Ireland
Department of Defence says levy to offset education overspend will put ‘significant’ pressure on military transformation programme
Concerns raised across multiple Leaving Cert review groups that experts not being listened to
Subjects affected include maths, English, chemistry, physics, biology and construction studies
Vulnerable children ‘face greater risk of harm’ because of levy on budget, Tusla says
Tusla says it is being ‘penalised for overruns in other sectors’ with agency’s budget to be levied next year to cover overruns in education
Irish education transformed radically under Bhreathnach
Current challenges call once more for a real vision in the mould of O’Malley and Breathnach
‘Pervasive’ decline: Educators must re-engage young people with reading, says OECD
Pisa results confirm we have a world-class education system – but the drop-off in reading and maths scores should not be ignored
‘It makes them more resilient’: Life in Ireland’s only Irish-language primary boarding school
It’s a screen-free year for them – no television, no iPads, no internet – and no access to mobile phones
‘I was the first to benefit’: How Donogh O’Malley’s introduction of free secondary education changed Ireland
Plaque unveiled on 60th anniversary of historic announcement in Clare village where O’Malley passed away
We must honour Donogh O’Malley’s legacy by cutting school class sizes
More than 425,000 pupils are in oversized classes, yet we have lost almost 500 teachers
Student accommodation lobby group seeks VAT removal from building costs for student beds
PBSA Council of Ireland wants Government to remove VAT on construction costs for approved developments
‘I don’t have words to describe this stress’: No school places for twin sisters with autism
Girls’ parents Cristian Pistea and Ana Carolina Rodrigues Pimentel have been trying since 2024 to secure places at any school
‘I have 16 different feelings’: Test of emotions for pupils and parents as school starts
Schools reopen after the summer break amid some nervousness but ‘overriding excitement’
‘The Swiss Army knife of the school’: Principals report burnout due to heavy workloads
Unrealistic expectations from Department of Education also cited as factors in DCU study
Recruiting and retaining teachers: Department of Education could act on existing report
Some might reasonably question whether a review is what is now required
Balancing act continues as Leaving Cert grades drop back by an average of just over 1%
Timelines for fully removing pandemic-related post-marking adjustment will continue to be informed by the 2026 experience
The Irish Times view on the Leaving Cert: time for a new approach?
There is a case to be made for rethinking priorities in education and training
‘Students prefer to work with books’: Is classroom tech worth it?
Despite cost, an increasing number of schools are turning to individual iPads for students
The Irish Times view on school patronage: a realignment is needed
A system funded almost entirely by the State must reflect the needs of those it is supposed to serve
Which Irish primary schools have the highest demand for change to religious ethos? Find out here
Find out where your school ranks using Irish Times search tool
Parents of schoolchildren in Dublin and Cork back religious-ethos change
Irish Times analysis shows counties with the lowest demand for change are Monaghan and Longford
School devices: Parents feel ‘press-ganged into something we don’t want and can’t afford’
Department of Education begins review on back-to-school costs after Minister raised concerns with schools over devices
School counselling service shelved because Government prefers cheapest option
Despite working on it, I learned that the pilot scheme was being shelved in The Irish Times
Industrial school hunger strikers feel ‘trodden on’ as promised supports yet to arrive
Financial, housing and healthcare assistance not delivered since Taoiseach issued State apology in February
Counselling plan for schoolchildren shelved over shortage of mental health professionals
Over 50% of slots available to schools across seven counties in first year of €5m scheme not used
English language school ordered to maintain ‘untouchable’ bank account for student refunds
Huge increase in refusal of study visas, court told
The Dunsink plan shows Ireland has a lesson to learn from the Soviets
Objections to Dunsink are not about what’s in the plan. They’re about what’s missing
Could primary school hours be changed under a new review by the Department of Education?
Current circular document, which dates back to 1995, details how many days each year schools must be open
Why do people in Ireland speak so few languages?
Worldview: Language competence is now just as much part of Ireland’s competitive infrastructure deficit as poor planning
Former Christian Brother ‘likely to die in prison’ after being jailed for five years
Christian Brothers’ ‘morally bankrupt and totally unfair’ approach to victims criticised by judge in case of Liam Coughlan (90)
€1.5bn to be set aside for tax package for workers in summer economic statement
Expenditure increases limited to €7bn with €1.5bn to be set aside for tax package aimed at increasing take-home pay
Payment of up to €20,000 proposed to settle school staff pension dispute
School secretaries and caretakers aged 40 or over would get tax-free lump sums under Labour Court recommendation
Pressure over Government spending cuts likely to fuel tensions at Cabinet
Black hole in Department of Education funding has led to €446m levy
‘Sufficient’ provision for special school places in advance of new school year, committee told
More than 580 special classes will be open from September, an increase from 409 the previous year
Three departments face closer supervision after exceeding budgets
Health, Education and Children subject to ‘special measures’ involving oversight from Department of Public Expenditure officials
Dunderrow sexual abuse survivors secure mediation process with Government over redress
Group of 19 women in their 60s and 70s plan legal action against the State
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices