Education reaction:The education sector has responded cautiously to the National Development Plan, with many groups holding off on any detailed comment until it is clear how much in new funding is being committed.
The INTO general secretary, John Carr, said it was unclear how the plan would affect the union's key priorities: reducing class sizes and increasing funding for primary schools.
While welcoming the investment in schools, the Teachers' Union of Ireland general secretary, Jim Dorney, said there appeared to be "little recognition of the importance of lifelong learning in the plan, which is disappointing".
Berni Brady, director of Aontas, the adult education group, also said she was disappointed it didn't contain more good news for the adult education sector.
The ASTI general secretary, John White, said he welcomed any announcement of additional investment in second-level education, given that Ireland comes 29th out of 30 OECD countries in terms of investment in each second-level student relative to GDP per capita.
"We await further details to know how this funding will be used to tackle key issues at second level, including large class sizes and resourcing special needs education in schools."
Jan O'Sullivan of Labour said the €5.1 billion proposed for schools amounts to just €600 per child per year for the lifetime of the plan. Out of every €100, she said, only €2.80 is to be spent on schools.
Michael Moriarty of the Irish Vocational Education Association said the funding for computers in schools was a long-overdue investment.
"Irish students should have the best chance of acquiring [ information technology] expertise, but it could only come about through strategic investment by the Government."
Michael Kelly, chairman of the Higher Education Authority, said: "The investments . . . will be instrumental in developing the Irish higher education and research sector".
