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 has obtained 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).
On 4 June, my department issued primary schools (including gaelscoileanna, co-educational schools and multi-denominational schools) with their school-specific results and explanatory information, marking the next stage in the process of engaging school communities on the future direction of their schools.
My department will publish all school-specific reports and the explanatory information pack for schools on the gov.ie website in mid-June. High-level survey results at a national level, including a county breakdown of the results, will also be published at that time.
Where the survey results show demand for change, Boards of Management have the opportunity to consider being included in the first group of schools to action the survey results, following a period of engagement and consultation with their school community, including their parents and Parent’s Association, Student Council, school staff and local community, including parents with children not yet in school. Schools are being asked to inform my department and their patron by 31 October 2026 if the school requests to be included in the first group of schools to action the survey results.
The survey results are intended to support meaningful local engagement and informed decision-making at school level. My department will continue to support and engage with schools as they consider their individual results and next steps.
