Budget 2027 announcements. Implementation dates vary. · By K Imports

Budget 2027: Schools, special education and school meals

New SNAs and teachers, capitation increases, school transport and disadvantage supports.

Sources checked 2026-10-07.

Who it affects and when

Audience: Parents, school communities and families seeking additional educational support.

Timing: School and staffing allocations announced for 2027; recruitment and service rollout follow programme timetables.

Special education: The package provides for 2,339 additional Special Needs Assistants and 1,353 additional teachers across special classes, special schools and mainstream schools.
Capitation: Standard per-child capitation rises by €68 from €274 to €342 in primary and special schools, and by €40 from €406 to €446 in post-primary schools. These are school funding rates, not payments to parents.
Disadvantage and meals: The Holiday Hunger pilot becomes permanent for the Summer Education Programme. Funding supports 100 new Home School Community Liaison coordinators; the Government also allocates €2 million to DEIS Plus expansion.
School transport: Additional funding supports school transport for approximately 180,000 children. Published national capacity is not an automatic seat allocation.

Ask the school or relevant service about the allocation and application process.
Check transport eligibility and application deadlines through the scheme.
Keep school funding announcements distinct from personal grants or fee changes.