Some €1 billion in additional spending each year is needed to bring Irish education up to European standard, the Green Party has claimed.
Party spokesman on education Paul Gogarty today launched "50 Steps to a Better Education", a plan aimed at fast-tracking a number of educational projects.
The steps, however, remain something of a mystery as the party has decided to publish only one a week over the next year.
Dan Boyle
Speaking to ireland.com,finance spokesman Dan Boyle said the scheme could be funded without an increase in income tax.
"There are a number of mechanisms by which the tax take can be raised without increasing the headline tax rates," he said. "In any event, we anticipate that the additional investment in education will actually save the taxpayer money in the long term."
Mr Boyle cited the American High-Scope Perry Preschool Study which showed a return of €17 to the economy for every euro invested in education.
Party leader Trevor Sargent said that education spending would be central to any negotiations on forming a coalition government after the next election.
Children's charity Barnardos last week revealed that 25 per cent of pupils in poorer areas suffered severe literacy difficulties. This rose to 50 per cent in some more marginalised schools.