Written answers
Thursday, 27 March 2025
Department of Education and Skills
Education Policy
Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can confirm that a student council exists in every second level school in the State; the importance she attaches to student councils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14705/25]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Children and young people have a right to have their voices heard and taken seriously in all matters that affect them. My department is committed to embedding a culture of participation of children and young people in policy development at a national level and at a school level.
A student participation unit was established in my department in April 2023 to help my department to make sure that the voices of children and young people inform policy development across the department.
In May 2023, an expert group on student participation, chaired by Professor Laura Lundy, was established to advise my department on how best my department could progress its work in this area. The expert group made five high-level recommendations which have been accepted in full by my department. The report of the expert group was published on 10 October 2024. On the same date, my department published its Student Participation Implementation Plan. This plan contains 50 actions to be implemented by end of 2026. Some of the key actions my department has committed to implement are:
- a new training plan for department staff to involve children and young people in policy development
- publication of an annual report on student participation in policy development
- to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of children and young peoples’ participation in decision-making among students, parents, teachers, school leaders, school staff and boards of management
- to review and update the guidance to support the establishment of student councils in post-primary schools to ensure that they are representative. Guidance will also be developed for primary schools
99.6% of post-primary schools have indicated to my department that they have established student councils.
My department is also continuing to progress the Charter Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Bill has been passed by the Seanad and is currently awaiting progression to Committee Stage in the Dáil.
One of the key concepts of the Bill is the need for a school to consult with the school community on individual school plans, policies and activities. This approach will help ensure that the various views of staff, students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools on policies and issues.
Further information on my department’s Student Participation Implementation Plan can be found at gov.ie/itstartswithyou.
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