The latest OECD international indicators (Education At A Glance 2026) continue to illustrate underinvestment in the Irish education system. The report also shows an unacceptably high ratio of students to staff at third level and highlights that the starting salaries of Irish teachers are lower than the OECD average.
The chronic underinvestment in the education system has been criticised by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI).
TUI President Anthony Quinn has commented on some of the report’s key findings:
Ireland ‘languishing at bottom of investment table’
‘Yet again, of the OECD countries for which figures are provided, none spend a lower proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) on education than Ireland’s, and at second level, the country’s spend is also yet again languishing at the foot of the table.’
‘As we have consistently said, it is students from disadvantaged backgrounds who suffer the most as a result of inadequate investment in our public education system, and ultimately this worsens inequality in our society.’
Recruitment and retention crisis
‘It is worrying that the report singles out Ireland (along with Latvia, Luxembourg and Romania) as facing more acute recruitment difficulties in teaching than in the overall labour market. We again urge the Department to once and for all engage properly with us to tackle this crisis.’
Unacceptable ratio of students to teaching staff at third level
‘At 19:1, the ratio of students to teaching staff at third level remains unacceptably higher than the OECD and European averages of 15:1. This is a clear and shameful indictment of the political refusal to address the sector’s funding crisis, which has resulted in larger class sizes and less access to laboratories, equipment, materials, libraries and tutorials.’
Reduction in number of young people outside of education and employment welcome
‘We welcome the positive news that the rate of those Not in Education or Employment or Training (NEET) in the 18-24-year-old cohort has halved from its 2015 level, but we must continue to work towards improving this further.’
Teacher salary data
‘The report shows that the starting salary of Irish second level teachers is below the OECD average, but even then this is based on the assumption that Irish teachers commence on ‘full’ jobs which is the exception rather than the rule in the sector. A survey of our members conducted earlier this year shows that of those who entered the profession since 2016, just 35% received a contract of full hours in their first year.’
‘In addition, the report shows that in terms of salary, Irish teachers earn 91% of what comparable full-time workers with tertiary education earn.’