The education budget should be increased by €1 billion, while poorer children should be given an extra year's infant education, the Green Party has said.
Launching its 50 Steps proposals to improve education, party leader Trevor Sargent said education investment pays for itself in lower crime and social costs.
Though the details of the plan are to be revealed in stages, it is understood that the Greens want class sizes subject to maximum limits. Children from disadvantaged areas should be able to go to school at four, in an attempt to deal earlier with family-created problems.
The Greens also want to reform the existing transition year system where post-Junior Certificate students effectively take a year out. Under its proposal, the transition year would be incorporated into a new three-year Leaving Certificate cycle, while "transition" elements would be done in modules.
Demanding €1 billion extra education spending, on top of any increases needed to cope with pay and other costs, Mr Sargent said the 50 Steps programme would be unveiled over the next 14 months.