Departmental Bodies

Tuesday, 10 February 2026

Questions (623)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

623. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under her remit. [10152/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Youth

The following interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups have been organised under my remit and are currently active:

Name of Group	Description
Active School Flag Steering Committee	To oversee the development and implementation of the Active School Flag programme at primary and post-primary level.
Advisory Group for Lifelong Guidance	To support implementation of the framework for lifelong guidance.
Assets Working Group	To specify and agree requirements and guidelines of a system for the management, safeguarding and accounting for assets in the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector and to test these systems when developed.
Bí Cineálta Working Group	To engage with education partners to review and update the 2013 anti-bullying procedures for primary and post-primary schools and provide feedback on their implementation.
Boards of Management Steering Group	To provide a setting for co-ordination and communication between all Patron bodies represented on the Committee in relation to the provision of training for Boards of Management.
Co-Funders Committee for Teachers’ Research Exchange (T-REX)	To oversee the funding provided for the specified purposes of the final phase of the development of T-REX.
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Advisory Group	To oversee the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) project.
Creative Youth Working Group	To oversee the development and implementation of the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027.
Cross-Sectoral Group on Disability Issues for Children and Young People	Co-Chaired with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, to provide strategic leadership to coordinate services, and to support decision-making for key Government Departments and agencies which have a role in the delivery of disability services.
Cross Sectoral Subgroup for the provision of nursing supports in schools	To examine the context of improving access to nursing supports for children in mainstream schools and in special school settings.
Crowe Review of Music Generation Steering Group	To consider the recommendations from the Crowe Review of Music Generation.
Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Programme Steering Group	To oversee progress on the development and implementation of the DEIS Strategy.
Department of Social Protection / Department of Education Process Enhancement And Streamlining Group	To consider the range of interactions between the two organisations and to propose and implement administrative and procedural improvements and efficiencies to that interaction in order to improve areas such as customer service and controls.
Distinct Service Identity Working Group	To explore and make recommendations as to the distinct service identity for Education Therapy Service (ETS) and existing children’s services that support children and young people in schools and school communities.
Education and Training Boards (ETB) Property Oversight Working Group	To review governance practices for ETB properties, review ETB property portfolios, and act as a consultative group to consider applications from ETBs for approval for purchase, lease, or disposal of land and buildings.
Education (Student and Parent) Charter Bill Working Group	To inform and engage with education stakeholders on the passage of the Education (Student and Parent) Charter Bill through Dáil Eireann and the development of Charter Guidelines.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Advisory Group for Schools	To provide an advisory role to schools on the implementation of ESD to 2030 in the school sector
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Steering Group	To provide strategic oversight of the implementation of the ESD to 2030 strategy.
Education Therapy Service (ETS) Steering Group	To provide strategic leadership, oversight, and assurance for the successful implementation of the ETS.
Education Therapy Service (ETS) Expert Advisory Group	To provide expert input on the Education Therapy Service.
Exceptionally Able Students / Saibhriú Steering Group	To oversee the enhancement of supports for exceptionally able students at both primary and post-primary level.
Foreign Languages Advisory Group (FLAG)	To oversee implementation of Languages Connect, Ireland's Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education.
Foreign Languages Advisory Group (FLAG) – Post primary	A subgroup of the main FLAG group – focused on implementation of Languages Connect in the post primary sector.
Gaelbhratach oversight and monitoring committee	To oversee and monitor the Gaelbhratach programme in collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Foras na Gaeilge.
Grúpa Comhairleach d’acmhainn nua Gaeilge do scoileanna meán-Bhéarla	An Advisory Group for a new resource for Irish in English-medium schools.
Grúpa Comhairleach don Tobar /An Tobar Advisory Group	To offer guidance regarding the development of new resources for the teaching and learning of Irish in English-medium schools, in the form of linguistic and educational guidance, strategic guidance, and also sectoral expertise.
Health and Education Oversight Group	To provide oversight and direction for all health and education working groups required to ensure aligned and integrated service delivery across existing children’s services and the newly formed Education Therapy Service (ETS). This group reports to the Education Therapy Service Steering Group.
High Level Inter Departmental Group, Department of Education and Youth and Department of Children, Disability and Equality	To deepen and extend the bilateral, collaborative approach between these departments and to ensure continued strategic alignment to policy development and implementation, throughout the continuum of education from early childhood to post-primary education.
Holocaust Education Ireland Steering Committee	To oversee the development and implementation of the funded programmes provided by Holocaust Education Ireland.
Initial Teacher Education Advisory Group	To oversee implementation of the Initial Teacher Education Policy Statement (2023-2030).
Initial Teacher Education Working Group	To drive the implementation of action plans devised under the Initial Teacher Education Policy Statement (2023-2030).
Integrated Model of In-School Services (IMISS) Working Group	To ensure the goals and vision as outlined in the IMISS document are implemented and maintained.
Interdepartmental Group on the Convention on Education	To support ongoing engagement between the Departments of Education and Youth, Children, Disability and Equality, and Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the Convention on Education. The Convention itself will focus on primary and post-primary schools and the transitions into and out of school.
Interdepartmental Group on the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders	To advise the Minister and Government on the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders and to prepare draft Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools.
Interdepartmental Working Group on Addressing Educational Disadvantage	To provide a forum for a collaborative approach to tackling educational disadvantage.
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) Steering Group	To oversee the JCPA redevelopment process and communications campaign.
Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Stakeholder Engagement Group	Co-Chaired with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to provide advice, feedback, and perspectives to support the implementation of the Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Literacy Strategy. Its input will feed into the Steering Group, which oversees and directs the overall implementation of the strategy.
Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Steering Group	The group oversees and directs the overall implementation of the Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy strategy 2024-2033.
Modern Foreign Languages at Primary Oversight Group	To oversee the implementation of the Modern Foreign Languages at Primary specification in the new primary curriculum.
National Advisory Committee for the National Assessments of Mathematics and English Reading (NAMER), Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) primary, and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)	To advise and provide observations to the Department and Educational Research Centre on the administration of primary level studies, including reviewing outcomes.
National Advisory Committee for Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) post-primary	To advise and provide observations to the Department and Education Research Centre on the administration of the post-primary element of TIMSS, including reviewing outcomes.
National Advisory Committee for the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)	To advise and provide observations to the Department and Educational Research Centre on the administration of PISA, including reviewing outcomes.
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) / State Examinations Commission (SEC) Standing Group	To support discussion and co-operation, and to monitor and manage the factors and relationships that are critical to the success of areas of the development of curriculum and assessment advice.
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) / National Council for Special Education (NCSE) Standing Group	To support discussion and co-operation, and to develop an understanding of how best to collaborate on areas of work which are of mutual strategic interest.
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) / SOLAS Standing Group	To support discussion and co-operation, and to develop an understanding of how best to collaborate on areas of work which are of mutual strategic interest. And to monitor and manage the factors and relationships that are critical to the success of these collaborations.
National Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance	To develop and implement a strategic framework for the lifelong guidance landscape.
National Steering Committee for the Guidance Counselling Supervision Programme	To oversee the Guidance Counselling Supervision Professional Support Programme For Guidance Counsellors in Post-Primary School, PLC & CFE settings to ensure that the programme is run efficiently and effectively.
Oíche na hÓige Working Group	To plan, prepare and support delivery of the pilot Oíche na hÓige / Youth Night.
Oide Advisory Group	To provide advice and input to Oide on matters regarding the professional learning of school leaders and teachers.
Oide Interagency Review Groups	To allow stakeholders to contribute to the design in advance of a professional learning event(s) rollout.
Pathways and Transitions Group	To facilitate mutual collaboration on issues and developments relating to transitions from post-primary to further and higher education and the world of work, supporting effective policy implementation and, ultimately, improved experience and outcomes for young people.
Primary Curriculum Steering Group	To oversee, guide and support the enactment of the primary curriculum.
Primary Communications Working Group	To develop and coordinate communications related to the redeveloped Primary School Curriculum.
Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) Steering Committee	To oversee and support the work of the P-TECH Pilot Programme through a shared vision and collaborative approach to ensuring its success through the stated goals.
Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) Review Steering Group and Working Group	To review existing policy and practice in the area of reasonable accommodations and to consider how best to develop the scheme so that it ensures access and participation for those who need it while promoting high standards of fairness and equity to the benefit of all students.
Research Policy and Practice Steering Group	To coordinate the evidence-focused activities of units across the department and its aegis bodies to enhance dissemination and implementation of evidence in both policy and practice.
School Transport for Children with Special Needs Working Group to Enable Improvements to the Scheme	To facilitate and enable ongoing improvements to the School Transport for Children with Special Needs scheme, in line with a recommendation under School Transport 2030.
Senior Cycle Redevelopment Implementation Group	To provide a forum for cross-cutting matters in relation to the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme to be considered.
Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Working Group	To facilitate collaboration between relevant Departmental units and agencies in respect of Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes.
Senior Cycle Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) Specification Steering Group	To oversee the design and implementation of the SPHE curriculum at senior cycle.
Shared Island Creative Connections Programme Working Group	To oversee the design, development and delivery of the Shared Island Creative Connections Programme.
Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Steering Group	To oversee the work on the first SNA Workforce Development Plan.
Spotlight Irish Sign Language Group	To improve supports for deaf or hard-of-hearing people.
Steering Committee for the Teacher Fee Refund Scheme (TFRS)	To oversee the ongoing operation of the TFRS, providing a forum for discussion and resolution of issues that arise in relation to the TFRS, ensuring an effective channel of communication between all stakeholders.
Steering Committee (Led by Tusla Education Support Service)	To address school attendance.
Steering Group (Led by Tusla Education Support Service)	To revise the code of behaviour for schools.
Steering Group for the delivery of a Periodic Critical Review of the National Council for Special Education	To oversee delivery of a Periodic Critical Review of the National Council for Special Education.
Steering Group for the delivery of a Periodic Critical Review of the State Examinations Commission	To oversee delivery of a Periodic Critical Review of the State Examinations Commission.
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Implementation Advisory Group	To advise, support, and oversee the implementation of the STEM Education Policy Statement 2017-2026 and Implementation Plans.
Summer Course Programme Review Working Group	To support a review of the Summer Course Programme.
Taskforce on Models of Provision for Irish-Medium Education	The taskforce provides a platform for collaboration between the Department and key stakeholders to identify and co-design approaches to increase the provision of high-quality Irish-medium education.
Teacher Professional Networks (TPN) Funding Scheme Steering Group	To provide oversight, governance, and strategic direction for the TPN Funding Scheme. The TPN Funding Scheme supports the work of Teachers’ Groups and Associations (TGAs) which afford Professional Learning activities and professional peer support to all Post-Primary teachers.
Test Development Steering Group	To advise and provide observations to the Department and the Educational Research Centre on general issues concerning the development, administration and future direction of tests for primary schools.
UNESCO National Commission for Ireland	To share information and updates on UNESCO activities in Ireland and abroad.
Whole School Curriculum Planning Guidance Group	To develop Whole School Curriculum Planning Guidance and Update the Preparation for Teaching and Learning Guidance.
Working Group for the Progression of Recommendations arising from the Periodic Critical Review of the Teaching Council	To review recommendations with a view to identifying approaches and actions as relevant, and oversee and monitor implementation as appropriate.
Working Group to Review and Update circular 32/2017 relating to Back to School Costs	To engage with the education partners and stakeholders to review and update Circular 32/2017 Back to School Costs.
Working Group on Student Council Guidance	To engage with the education partners to inform, review and update the guidance for student councils in post primary schools and develop guidance for primary and special schools.