Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
429. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if consideration has been given to redeploying elements of the Inspectorate to provide in school training and collaborative planning support rather than focusing primarily on compliance based inspection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71426/25]
View answerConsideration has not been given to redeploying elements of the Inspectorate to provide in-school training and collaborative planning support. Oide is the Department-funded body with a specific remit to provide professional learning for teachers and school leaders. The Inspectorate has a statutory evaluative, advisory and capacity-building functions in schools, Early Learning and Care (ELC) settings and centres for education. The Inspectorate’s programme of evaluation is not focused primarily on compliance-based inspections. As set out in its published Inspection Policy (2025), the Inspectorate is committed to carrying out a balanced approach to regulation, quality improvement and provision of policy advice at school and system levels. It provides an evaluative account of the work of education settings and schools, affirming good practice and promoting improvement. The Inspectorate and Oide work closely to support improvement in the quality of education provision at both school and system levels.
