Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
223. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on concerns that have been raised regarding the recently published results to the patronage preference question in her Department’s primary school survey (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27798/26]
View answer224. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider a more holistic approach in relation to the use of the recently published results of the patronage preference question in her Department's Primary School Survey (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27799/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
On 4 November 2025, my department published a 'Framework and action plan for delivery of increased choice for parents on education provision at primary level'. The main focus of this framework and action plan was an online, school-specific survey. The survey ran from 4 November to 16 December 2025.
Through the survey, my department is obtaining clear information on the preferences of parents and guardians about the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, on a number of important areas of primary school provision, including patronage/ethos, co-education or single-sex school provision and language of instruction (English or Irish).
The results of the survey will help my department to plan how education at primary level is provided.
As set out in the framework and action plan, initial high-level summary results are to be published in early 2026, with a Q2 2026 timeframe for the school-level data.
In line with this commitment, I recently announced the high-level national and county summary results in respect of the preferences of parents with children currently in primary school. My department is continuing its detailed analysis of the survey data and is preparing finalised school-specific reports. These school reports will also include the preferences of parents and guardians of children who are not yet in primary school and will be issued to all primary schools in May. This is in line with the Q2 2026 timeframe that was previously stated by my department.
The preliminary national findings indicate that:
• Approximately 60% of parents in denominational schools wish to retain that ethos.
• Approximately 73% of parents in the 276 single-sex primary schools favour a move to co-education.
• Approximately 87% of parents in English-medium schools support maintaining English as the primary language of instruction.
While these figures provide a national overview, it is important to note that it is the preferences within each individual school community that will determine future direction. Demand for change, or continuity, will vary from school to school. A good response rate at individual school level will also be relevant in assessing the parental preferences.
