The latest OECD annual international indicators (Education At A Glance 2025) once again illustrate the consistent failure by Government to invest appropriately in education.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) criticised this chronic underinvestment, stating that a properly resourced education system would pay significant dividends for all in Irish society.
The report shows a significant increase in self-reported general health and mental health status by individuals with each additional level of educational attainment.
Union President Anthony Quinn today commented on some of the publication’s key findings:
Ireland adrift from OECD counterparts due to chronic underinvestment
‘Of the OECD countries for which figures are provided, none spend a lower proportion of gross domestic product (GDP) on education than Ireland’s. At second level, Ireland’s spend is once again at the foot of the table, trailing unacceptably behind the OECD average.’
‘At third level, the spend (0.6% excluding R&D) trails way behind the OECD average of 1%. This is a shameful legacy of a refusal at political level to address the sector’s funding crisis in any meaningful way.’
‘Students from disadvantaged backgrounds suffer the most as a result of inadequate education resourcing, so the failure to invest will ultimately worsen inequality in Irish society.’
Full-time, permanent posts needed
‘At second level, the report shows that the starting salary of Irish teachers is below the OECD average. However, this metric is based on the assumption that Irish teachers commence on ‘full’ jobs, which regrettably is not the case at second-level. The findings of a TUI survey carried out earlier this year showed that just 26% of respondents employed since 2015 secured a contract of full hours upon initial appointment.’
‘In the middle of a recruitment and retention crisis, this is shameful.’
‘Now more than ever, schools must be provided with greater teaching allocations to allow more full-time, permanent jobs from initial appointment.’
Third level funding crisis
‘At third level, the ratio of students to teaching staff in Ireland is 19:1, which is far above the OECD average of 15:1. A generation of students is losing out as a result and an era of underfunding is also adding significantly to the workload of academic staff.’
Benefits of education to the individual and to society
‘The report shows a significant increase in self-reported general health and mental health status by individuals with each additional level of educational attainment. Unsurprisingly, it also highlights significantly increased employment rates with each level of educational attainment.’
‘Again, this makes clear the hugely positive potential of education for the individual and also for the country’s health system and economy.’
‘An appropriately resourced education system would pay significant dividends for all in Irish society, particularly for the most disadvantaged who may currently be losing out due to underfunding.’