Over 33k students to attend schools in Donegal

Approximately 33,747 students in Donegal are returning to or beginning school this week.

The Department of Education and Youth has released the most recent figures to show that in Donegal, 19,052 primary school students and 14,695 post-primary students are starting back this term.

A total of 2,136 students are beginning Junior Infants, and 2,531 pupils are entering first year post-primary.

Across the nation, 965,000 children and young people are beginning or returning to education, employing over 112,000 teachers and other staff in schools, education and the youth sector, costing €8 billion.

The Department of Education has allocated €1.7 billion towards pensions for 50,800 school staff retirees, €1.7 billion for 1,000 building projects on site in 2026 across various programmes and schemes, €804 million towards capitation, grants and free school books, €641 million for transporting 181,000 students to schoo, and €346 million to cover Teacher education, curriculum grants or reforms, and department or aegis bodies.