Written answers

Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Strategies

Photo of Malcolm ByrneMalcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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511. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to list all national strategies, action plans or documents that may be described as such, which are currently in operation and under the remit of her Department. [39605/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In order to deliver a world class education system which breaks down barriers and ensures every child can achieve their full potential, my Department has responsibility for a number of important strategies and action plans which are currently active:

  • Education Plan 2025: This Annual plan is for the Department of Education and Youth. This is produced in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government, and reflects the priorities of the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department for 2025;
  • Cineáltas: This action plan aims to adopt a whole-education approach to preventing and addressing bullying in schools;
  • Student Participation Implementation Plan 2024 – 2026: This aims to help embed a culture of student participation across the Department;
  • Wellbeing Policy Statement and Framework for Practice: This aims to support wellbeing and mental health, published since 2018;
  • Policy on Gaeltacht Education 2017-2022: This aims to support and promote the use of the Irish language in Gaeltacht communities through strengthening Irish-medium educational provision in Gaeltacht language-planning areas;
  • Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027: This aims to further support the school system to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to successfully navigate an ever evolving digital world;
  • Digital Strategy Implementation Plan 2024: This aims to outline the actions and timelines of the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, and also sets out the many supports and resources that are currently available to school leaders and teachers in embedding digital technology across teaching, learning and assessment;
  • The Initial Teacher Education Policy Statement: This aims to outline a vision for ITE to 2030;
  • Traveller and Roma Education Strategy 2024-2030 / Traveller and Roma Education Strategy Plan for Implementation and Action 2024-2026:. This aims to build on ongoing work across the continuum of education, including early learning and childcare, school (primary and post-primary) and further and higher education, to improve outcomes and ensure equity of access, opportunity and outcomes, as well as meaningful participation, for all Travellers and Roma;
  • DEIS Plan 2017: This aims to set out and achieve five key policy goals for the DEIS programme, the government's strategy to tackle educational disadvantage at school level;
  • Attendance Campaign: This aims to address school attendance over five years through the work of the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), which is under the remit of my Department and has three strands - the statutory Educational Welfare Service (EWS), the Home School Community Liaison scheme and the School Completion Programme;
  • Teacher Supply Action Plan: This aims to address teacher shortages at both primary and post-primary levels. The plan involves various actions, including promoting the teaching profession, upskilling programs for existing teachers and the development of teacher workforce data;
  • Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028: This aims to provide a platform for a strategic, effective, data-driven and joined-up approach to the delivery of youth work and related services. The strategy will also ensure that the funded youth sector is equipped to address the evolving needs of young people;
  • ESD to 2030 2nd National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development - Implementation Plan 2022 – 2026: This aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development;
  • Languages Connect - Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017 – 2026: This aims to improve language proficiency by creating a more engaging learning environment, diversifying and increasing the uptake of languages learned, cultivating the languages of the new Irish, increasing awareness of the importance of language learning to encourage the wider use of foreign languages, and enhancing employer engagement in the development and use of trade languages;
  • Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy 2024 – 2033: This aims to promote the development of essential literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy skills, knowledge, and dispositions including successfully navigating an ever-evolving digital world;
  • STEM Education Policy Statement 2017 – 2026: This aims to continue improving the STEM learning experiences of all children and young people;
  • Strategic National Framework for Lifelong Guidance (2024 – 2030) and Action Plan 2024 to 2030: This aims to bring a focus and a coherence to the existing services and structures, in particular in schools, Higher Education, the Further and Higher Education System, and Adult Guidance Services that are key supports to young people and those entering the workforce in making initial decisions about their educational journeys and career pathway;
  • Commemorations: The All-Island History Competition for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (originally launched as part of the Decade of Centenaries commemorations) engages students with key historical events through themes of identity, memory, and commemoration. It promotes historical awareness and the evolving narrative of Ireland’s past and future. 2025 also marks the 250-year anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth which will be reflected in this year’s competition’s themes; and
  • Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027: This aims to enable the creativity of every child and young person, working together with other Departments and the Arts Council as key delivery partners.

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