Department of Education and Youth announce National Convention on Education in Ireland
National Convention on Education
Starting in January 2026, the Department of Education and Youth will launch a National Convention on Education. This convention will be an opportunity for children,parents and education professionals to provide their experiences of the Irish education system. Stakeholders will also be able to identify themes for meetings of the Convention through their contributions.
The focus will be on primary and post-primary (secondary) schools, the transitions within education, looking at what is working well, what challenges need attention, and what changes may be needed in the years ahead. Recommendations from the Convention will inform a new long-term Department of Education and Youth strategy for education in Ireland.
The Convention will be chaired by Professor Anne Looney and will meet four times over weekends in 2026 to discuss key issues about the future of education.
The Convention will comprise 150 people across 4 groups:
1. Children and young people (30 people)
2. Parents and guardians (30 people)
3. School employees and early years educators (30 people)
4. Education stakeholders (60 people)
How to apply for the Convention?
If you are a member of any of the above groups you can apply to take part in the Convention before the deadline on 16th January, this can be done via the Department’s own website.
If you are unsuccessful in applying to be on the Convention or are unable to commit to it, you can still contribute. The Convention will have other opportunities to contribute such as a chance to make a submission, fill out surveys and hosting your own conversation in your school or organisation. The submission process will be open from January until the end of February, but more information will be made available later this month from the Department of Education and Youth.
For more information on the Convention, you can visit https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/the-national-conversation-on-education/