06.10.2026
Church of Ireland Board of Education Welcomes Capitation Increase
Rise of €68 per pupil will make significant difference.
The General Synod Board of Education (RI) greatly welcomes the announcement in today’s budget that the level of capitation at primary level will increase by €17 million which will provide an additional €68 to the capitation level at primary level and €40 at post–primary level (for free scheme schools). The Board also welcomes increases to funding for increase for SNA and teacher posts, along with the other increased measures.
Archbishop Michael Jackson, as Chair of the Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI) commented:
“The grant increases announced in today’s budget will ease pressure on schools and families in coping with the day–to–day costs in schools, and will be a great encouragement to Boards, principals, teachers, SNAs, parents and pupils alike. I greatly welcome this timely provision in today’s budget and wish to express our thanks to the Government and the Minister for Education and Youth, Ms Hildegarde Naughton, TD, for recognising the increased financial need in schools.”
The Secretary of the Board, Dr Ken Fennelly, commented:
“The Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI) joined with a range of other education stakeholders in raising this issue in advance of the Budget and we are both relieved and glad that Government has heard the financial concerns which we articulated on behalf of schools over the last number of weeks. We are in daily contact with School Boards and principals so we know how rising costs are affecting school finances. We greatly welcome this €68 increase in primary level capitation and €40 for free scheme post primary schools. We hope that these financial increases, and last years too, signal a recognition of the necessity to make the tackling of education costs a priority in budget considerations into the future.”