Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
518. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which the Convention on Education and National Conversation will ensure that under represented voices for example, students with special educational needs, marginalised communities, rural stakeholders and so on are included meaningfully in its deliberations. [3680/26]
View answer519. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps which will be taken to guarantee geographical diversity within the Convention on Education and National Conversation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3681/26]
View answer520. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a detailed working plan and timeline for the Convention on Education and National Conversation. [3682/26]
View answer521. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for when the Convention on Education and National Conversation recommendations are submitted to ensure they are implemented by her Department. [3683/26]
View answer522. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there will be a monitoring body or follow-up committee to track progress on implementation, including regular updates to the Houses of the Oireachtas and public. [3684/26]
View answer523. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date the Convention on Education and National Conversation will take place. [3685/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 518, 519, 520, 521, 522 and 523 together.
As the Deputy is aware, last July it was announced that a National Convention on Education would be established, bringing together all stakeholders in education.
The Convention will be chaired by Professor Anne Looney and will meet four times over weekends in 2026 on the following dates:
• 21-22 March 2026.
• 9-10 May 2026.
• 26-27 September 2026.
• 14-15 November 2026.
I am working with my officials to develop this exciting, once in a generation opportunity for children, young people, parents, educators and wider society to help shape Ireland’s education system for decades to come.
The Convention will comprise 150 people across 4 groups:
• Children and young people (30 people).
• Parents and guardians (30 people).
• School employees and early years educators (30 people).
• Education stakeholders (60 people).
The expression of interest process for membership of the first three groups of the Convention closed on Friday January 16th. Selection criteria will be applied to ensure diversity in participants who will be taking part in the Convention.
This will be the first Convention to include children and young people as full members. I am committed to ensuring that this Convention will reflect the Ireland of today, in all its diversity, and in particular the voices of children and young people, their parents and guardians, school staff and education stakeholders. This will include ensuring diversity of voice in the Convention, as well as ensuring representation is heard from the wide range of all those with a stake in our education system.
With this in mind, on January 14th, I launched the first ever National Conversation on Education with school communities and national stakeholders. The National Conversation is an opportunity for everyone across the country to shape the future of education in Ireland.
There are a number of different ways in which people of all ages can share their views on the future of Irish education.
The survey and submissions process has been opened. The survey can be accessed online at www.gov.ie/educationconvention. This can be done individually or on behalf of a group, such as families, school communities, advocacy organisations, or professional networks. The survey and submissions process will be open until the 28th of February.
In addition to the survey, my officials in the Department of Education and Youth have begun a series of school community engagements. These events are taking place across the country, where they are meeting with children and young people, school employees, parents and guardians to get a greater understanding on their hopes for the future of education.
These will be followed by a series of regional events. The findings from the National Conversation will shape the agenda for the Convention, which in turn will be agreed by Government. The Convention will produce a report and recommendations, which I expect to receive in early 2027, and which will inform the development of a new long-term Department of Education and Youth strategy for education in Ireland.
