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From:Department of Education and Youth

Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has today reminded primary schools that they must notify the Department of Education and Youth and their patron by 31 October 2026 if they wish to be considered for the first phase of changes arising from the Primary School Survey.

The department has this week written to all primary schools outlining the steps to be taken during September and October and has published guidance for schoolshere.

Published in June, the Primary School Survey provides the most comprehensive picture to date of the views of parents and guardians on the future direction of primary education in their communities.

The survey examined preferences on school patronage and ethos, co-educational or single-sex provision and language of instruction (English or Irish).

Individual school results were shared with schools in June, enabling boards of management to review the findings and begin engagement with their school communities.

Speaking today, Minister Naughton said:

“The Primary School Survey results provide an important opportunity for schools and communities to consider their future direction. The results are intended to support meaningful local engagement and ensure that the views of parents and families help shape future developments in primary education.”

The Minister encouraged schools to review their results carefully and engage openly with parents, staff, patrons and the wider community before making any decisions.

“It is important that school communities engage constructively with the survey findings and that parents have an opportunity to share their views. This is about listening to local voices and ensuring that future developments reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities that schools serve.”

The Department of Education and Youth will continue to support schools as they engage with parents, staff, patrons and the wider community on the survey findings and consider potential next steps.

Schools interested in joining the first phase of implementation should undertake consultation with their school community before submitting an expression of interest.

The department will provide targeted supports to participating schools, with the first changes arising from the process expected to be introduced from September 2027.

Department provided school-specific reports and explanatory information to primary schools and published all school-specific reports online. Schools were asked to circulate their school-specific report to their school community.

Schools have been asked to make arrangements for their school community to submit their feedback to the Board of Management by the end of September or early October.

Schools have been asked to arrange a special Board of Management meeting to review the feedback and decide if the school wants to explore a change in configuration.

Deadline for schools to let the department and school patron know if they want to be part of the first group to act on the survey results, after reviewing their results and consulting with their school community.

Overview of Primary School Survey

The Department of Education and Youth ran the Primary School Survey from 4 November to 16 December 2025.

Through the survey, the 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).

Primary schools received their school-specific results in June 2026, marking the next stage in the process of engaging school communities on the future direction of their schools. The department published all school-level reports onwww.gov.ie/PrimarySchoolSurvey, alongside a national summary report, including a county breakdown of the results. School planning area results, providing additional local and regional context, have also been published on gov.ie

School 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 parents’ association, student council, school staff and local community, including parents with children not yet in school.

Schools are being asked to inform the department and their patron by 31 October 2026 if the school requests to be included in the first group to action the survey results.

The department will support schools which are included in the first group to action their survey results. The first changes arising from this process are expected to be seen in schools from September 2027.

What happens if there is demand for change?

Over 200,000 parents/guardians took part in the Primary School Survey. Each school has received results based on the views of parents with children in the school, or those who plan to enrol a child.

If a school requests to be included in the first group of schools to change arising from this work, the department will assign a dedicated point of contact to support the school throughout the process of implementing a change in configuration. A range of additional supports will also be made available.

Schools that teach through Irish