Cathal Crowe
Ceist:142. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth the main policy achievements of her Department since 22 January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23074/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Policies
Ceisteanna (142)
Freagraí scríofa
I refer to the Deputy to my response to PQ 70521/25 provided on 10 December 2025, which provided information on the significant achievements from 22 January 2025 to that date. Since that date, the following are the main policy achievements of my Department.
Earlier today, I announced a €48m investment in the new DEIS Strategy and DEIS Plus scheme. The measures represent the biggest full-year investment in targeted supports to address educational disadvantage since the establishment of the DEIS programme in 2006. The DEIS Strategy to 2035 is a comprehensive ten-year plan to address educational disadvantage and promote equity across all schools supported by this investment. Published alongside this is the first three-year DEIS Implementation Plan 2026-2028.
In addition to this, also published today is the DEIS Plus scheme, which will provide enhanced, targeted supports to 121 schools with the highest concentrations of children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage. In total, the measures announced under DEIS Plus and the DEIS Strategy will deliver over 400 additional roles, including approximately 350 teacher posts, benefiting some 700 schools nationwide.
On 6 March, my Department began accepting applications for health and education supports from survivors of abuse in residential institutions such as industrial schools and reformatories. These supports are being delivered under the Support for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 and build upon the already significant response to this issue. Information on the supports available to survivors can be found at www.gov.ie/survivorsupports.
I launched the National Conversation on Education on 14 January together with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, TD and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan TD. Public consultation included a survey and submission process, which were open until 28 February 2026. Over 42,000 people took part in the National Conversation survey. In addition to this, school community engagement events and regional events have been taking place across the country, inviting deeper discussion on how we might shape the future of education in Ireland. The views of participants in all parts of the National Conversation have helped to identify the themes for the Convention on Education.
The National Convention on Education is a 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 comprises 150 participants across four groups: 1) children and young people, 2) parents and guardians, 3) school staff and early years educators and 4) Education stakeholders.
The Convention met for the first time 21-22 March in Athlone. It will meet a further three times over weekends in May, September and November 2026 to discuss key issues and make recommendations on the future of education. The focus will be mainly on primary and post-primary education but will include the transitions children make from early childhood education to primary and from post-primary to further and higher education.
On 28 January 2026, I announced the publication of the NDP Sectoral Plan for the Education and Youth sectors. The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan involves a capital investment of €7.55bn in our schools and Youth Sector for the 2026 to 2030 period. This investment builds on progress made over recent years and will support the operation of the school system and the Youth sector with the necessary infrastructure and facilities for the years ahead.
Also in January, I welcomed the introduction of an interim additional time measure for students with specific needs sitting State examinations in 2026. The initiative delivers on a key Programme for Government commitment to develop an appropriate mechanism allowing additional time for students with specific needs and in certain circumstances.
On 6 February 2026, together with the Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan TD, I announced details of the first phased roll-out of the new Education Therapy Services (ETS). The ETS is a commitment under the Programme for Government and represents a major cross departmental initiative to strengthen supports for children with special educational needs. The new therapy service will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education.
It is also important to note that sanctioning of new special classes for the 2026/2027 school year by the NCSE commenced in January, a number of months ahead of other years. To date 387 new special classes have been confirmed.