There will be an increase in the number of places in medical training available to school leavers under provisions in this year's budget estimates, the Minister for Education has said.
Ms Hanafin said the 9 per cent increase in spending for her Department this year would see "real progress" across all sectors of education.
The education budget for 2006 will be more than €7.2 billion, an increase of €570 million on last year.
There is provision to implement the "important new developments in medical education and training, which will provide for an increase in the number of places in medical training for next year's school leavers", she said.
Details of this package of measures are currently being finalised with the Tánaiste and Minister for Health.
Ms Hanafin said that over the next two years, 500 extra teachers would be provided in primary schools to reduce class size and tackle disadvantage.
Ms Hanafin also said funding for school transport will increase by 30 per cenrt from €116 million this year to €152 million in 2006.
"This additional funding will enable to every child to have a seat of their own with a seat belt on all school buses by the end of next year."
Ms Hanafin said funding for special education initiatives, including special needs assistants for children, will exceed €640m in 2006. A total of €636 million is targeted at tackling educational disadvantage.
She said: "In 2006, one euro out of every six being spent by the Government goes to the education sector. It is our duty to provide every child with a quality education to enable them to achieve their full potential and participate fully in society."
Fine Gael education spokeswoman Olwyn Enright said the education estimates were a "major disappointment" for children in overcrowded classrooms, for those who require a psychological assessment, and "will do nothing to tackle early-school leaving or speed the replacement of decrepit school buildings".
Labour education spokeswoman Jan O'Sullivan said the small increases for education "show little sign that the Government has grasped the importance of investing in our future through education at all levels".