Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 December 2025
248. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way the National Convention on Education will ensure that underrepresented voices; e.g. students with special educational needs, marginalized communities, rural stakeholders and so on; are included meaningfully in its deliberations. [67642/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra249. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth the steps which will be taken to guarantee geographical diversity within the National Convention on Education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67643/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a detailed working plan and timeline for the National Convention on Education. [67644/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra251. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plan for when the National Convention on Education recommendations are submitted to ensure they are implemented by the Department of Education and Youth. [67645/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra252. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a monitoring body or follow-up committee will track progress on implementation, including regular updates to the Oireachtas and public. [67646/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 to 252, inclusive, 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. I am determined that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to share their thoughts about the future of education, both locally and nationally.
Planning for the Convention is ongoing, including the list of people and organisations who will be participating, and further information will be made available in due course. I am working with my officials to develop this exciting, once in a generation opportunity for everyone living in Ireland to have their say on the future of education
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, 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, ahead of the Convention, we will be launching the first ever National Conversation on Education with school communities and national stakeholders. The National Conversation will allow all citizens and groups to get involved and have their say on the future of education, through surveys and submissions, school community engagements, and regional events. This Conversation will also include outreach to seldom-heard, marginalised voices.
The National conversation will inform what changes may be needed to the education landscape to help ensure responsiveness of the system to children and young people’s needs over the years and decades to come, to reflect on how best to provide for what is working well and to examine what needs to be changed.
The findings from the National Conversation will inform the agenda for the Convention, which in turn will be agreed by Government. The work of the Convention will then inform the development of a long-term education strategy.
