Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
540. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the expected publication date of the updated progress report on the implementation of the recommendations of the Out of School Education Provision review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30019/26]
View answer541. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether a draft or interim version of the Out of School Education Provision report is available for public review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30020/26]
View answer542. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether any supplementary materials are available summarising the current work of the Out of School Education Provision implementation group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30021/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 540, 541 and 542 together.
In May 2022, my department announced the publication of a report on the Review of Out-of-School Education Provision. This review focused on the education provision for learners under 16 years of age who have encountered difficulties staying in mainstream education.
Arising from that review, several recommendations were made to inform future policy and provide a sustainable option within the education system to further serve this group of learners. In October 2022, an implementation group was established to progress these recommendations and to develop a standardised framework of support for young people at risk of disengaging from education.
In addition to officials from my department, membership of the implementation group included the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), the National Association of Principals & Deputy Principals (NAPD), the Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA), Tusla Education Support Services (TESS), Jigsaw, the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), the National Parents Council (NPC), the Department of Justice and the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU). The group was chaired by Dr Jacinta Stewart.
The Implementation group consulted widely, taking on board the views of a range of stakeholders, agencies, and other interested parties including children and young people, parents, school leaders and practitioners from out-of-school education provision. The group did not produce an interim or draft report or any supplementary materials.
The Implementation Group’s report is currently being carefully deliberated by my department to ensure that issues raised by the Implementation group can be addressed. I expect to receive the final report shortly and it is envisaged that the final report will be published later in 2026.
