Submissions

This NPC submission responds to draft guidelines for Whole-School Guidance in special schools. Drawing on 130 parent responses collected between 28 August and 7 September 2026, it examines individualised guidance, life skills, wellbeing, communication with families, post-school pathways and how staffing and resources can support guidance provision.

This NPC report presents feedback from 67 parents on the Mental Health Commission’s draft standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Based on a survey conducted from 6 to 14 August 2026, it examines whether the draft reflects earlier parental feedback and explores waiting times, access, crisis support, neurodiversity, family involvement, coordination between services and practical implementation.

This report presents the views of 791 parents on the role, allocation and training needs of Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistants in schools. It examines access to SET and SNA support, the fairness and adequacy of allocation models, specialist training and qualifications, the evolving SNA role and the resources needed to strengthen inclusive education.

This document summarises consultation sessions with 79 parents on the future of education. It records parents’ views on the purpose of education, what is working well in schools, areas for improvement, what future schools should look and feel like, and the kind of education system needed for future generations.

This submission presents parents’ feedback on the NCSE Statement of Strategy 2027–2030. Based on 52 responses, it considers service delivery, research and policy, staff development and organisational support, while identifying priorities including clearer information for families, integrated school-based therapies, reduced waiting times, stronger staffing and resources, and better coordination between education and health services.

This submission presents parents’ experiences and views of the Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations (RACE) Scheme. Based on a survey of 458 parents, it examines awareness of the scheme, available accommodations, application and decision-making processes, timeliness, fairness, assistive technology and the impact of supports on students’ examination experience.

This submission presents feedback from 194 parents and 60 students on the Junior Cycle Irish specifications for T1 and T2. It explores confidence and enjoyment in learning Irish, the relevance of the language to students’ lives, strengths and challenges in teaching and learning, Classroom-Based Assessments, oral language, assessment and recommendations for a more communicative and engaging approach.

This stakeholder submission presents parents’ views on the review of Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education. Based on 393 responses, it considers programme design, the core elements of teacher education, school placement and programme resourcing, with particular attention to inclusion, special educational needs, neurodiversity, practical classroom experience and partnership with parents.

This submission to the NCCA presents parents’ views on the draft Leaving Certificate Music specification. Based on a survey of 61 parents, it considers the proposed key competencies, the purpose and content of the subject, assessment arrangements, the balance between written and additional assessment components, and the practical element of Leaving Certificate Music.

This submission presents parents’ perspectives on the redevelopment and implementation of the new Primary Curriculum. Drawing on a national survey of 431 parents, it explores awareness of curriculum changes, key competencies, subject areas and time allocations, approaches to teaching and learning, and school–parent partnership.

This submission presents parents’ perspectives to the Mental Health Commission on the development of national standards for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. It covers referral pathways, waiting times, service delivery, emergency and inpatient care, aftercare, inclusion and the standards parents believe are needed for consistent, accessible and child-centred mental health services.

An NPC submission to the NCCA presenting parents’ views on the redevelopment of Leaving Certificate Design and Communication Graphics. It examines subject content, student competencies, practical and digital learning, and how the subject should be assessed, including the balance between written examinations, project work and ongoing assessment.

This NPC submission to the NCCA presents parents’ views on proposed Level 1 and Level 2 elective modules as part of the redevelopment of Senior Cycle special educational needs programmes. It considers how well the proposed modules meet students’ individual learning needs and explores the skills, content and supports parents believe should form part of the programmes.

This report brings together the views of parents and children on the Hot School Meals Scheme in primary schools. Based on 3,411 responses, it explores satisfaction with the scheme, food quality and choice, nutrition, food waste, the impact on families and children’s school experience, and suggestions for improving the programme.

NPC report presenting 262 parents’ views on the proposed redevelopment of Leaving Certificate Computer Science. Based on a survey open from 10 October to 12 November 2025, it examines subject content, digital skills, competencies, practical learning, assessment arrangements and emerging technologies including AI.

Survey of 911 parents prepared for the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence examining AI use in education, parental awareness, expectations and concerns around learning tools, privacy, ethics and teachers’ roles.

This report examines school attendance from the perspectives of primary and post-primary students and their parents. It analyses surveys of 625 primary pupils, 851 post-primary students, 2,741 primary parents and 1,243 post-primary parents, alongside a review of preschool attendance research, to explore barriers, engagement and supports for regular attendance.

NPC report commissioned as part of the National Disability Authority’s independent review of Children’s Disability Network Teams. It draws on a survey of 382 parents and online group consultations attended by 30 parents in August 2025, exploring waiting times, access to therapies, communication, collaboration with schools and improvements families would like to see.

Large-scale NPC survey of 811 parents on the lasting effects of COVID-19 school closures on learning, wellbeing and social development, with findings broken down across early years, primary, post-primary and special education settings.

NPC opening statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth on education for children with special educational needs. Drawing on 418 parent responses collected from 24 to 26 June 2025, it discusses access to SET and SNA supports, NEPS assessments, school buildings, delays and communication with families.

NPC consultation on proposed Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 electives for students with special educational needs, covering Drama, Personal Care, Visual Art and Cookery, informed by parent survey and focus group feedback.

This report presents feedback from 100 parents on draft Whole-School Guidance guidelines in post-primary schools, covering awareness of guidance services, communication with families and educational, personal and career supports.

Report gathering views from 403 parents on eight Tranche 3 Leaving Certificate subjects, examining proposed competencies, subject content and assessment changes as part of Senior Cycle redevelopment.

NPC parent consultation on changes to Junior Cycle Skills for Life priority learning units and new Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 electives for students with special educational needs.

NPC report drawing on parents’ experiences of complaints procedures in primary, post-primary and special schools. It examines awareness, accessibility, satisfaction, child-centred handling and possible independent oversight, using a survey and focus groups.

NPC survey of parental views on the proposed closure of RTÉjr Radio and its replacement with on-demand content, exploring children’s listening habits, educational value, and accessibility.

This report documents interviews with 11 families living in an International Protection Applicants centre in Rathmines, exploring access to education, school placements, communication, costs and supports across school stages.

This report examines parental awareness and experiences of child protection procedures in primary, post-primary and special schools, drawing on a survey and January focus groups to identify accessibility and safeguarding concerns.

Draft NPC report examining parents’ experiences of complaints procedures in primary and post-primary schools, drawing on an autumn 2024 survey and focus groups. It explores awareness of complaints processes, satisfaction with outcomes, impartiality, accessibility, child-friendly approaches and independent oversight.

NPC report on parents’ experiences of educational disadvantage and the financial barriers affecting children’s participation in school. Based on 651 survey responses collected in September and October 2024, it examines school costs, attendance, access to activities, financial support and recommendations for improving educational equality.

NPC report on the Department of Education’s review of the Assistive Technology Grant Scheme. Drawing on 1,074 parent responses to a September 2024 survey, it examines awareness of support, access to assistive technology, barriers to provision and ways to improve the scheme for children with special educational needs.

NPC response to a study evaluating the EU Action Plan on Childhood Obesity. Based on a survey of 146 parents from early years, primary and post-primary education, it examines healthy starts in life, nutrition, school food environments, information and support for families, and physical activity.

NPC consultation report presenting feedback from an in-person parent focus group held in Dublin on 10 August 2024 on the Child and Youth Mental Health Office draft action plan. It identifies what families value, challenges in accessing services and parents’ suggestions for improving the plan.

NPC submission on the use and promotion of Irish in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. It explores parents’ views on increasing opportunities to use Irish, the benefits and barriers for settings, staffing requirements and the support needed to expand Irish-language provision.

May 2024 NPC submission to the NCCA covering the second consultation round on six Senior Cycle subjects and modules in the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme. It reports findings from parent surveys conducted between 3 and 13 May 2024, including views on subject proposals, key competencies and assessment.

NPC report of an in-person consultation with 13 parents held on 11 May 2024 about redevelopment of the Primary Curriculum. It brings together feedback on arts education, science and technology, social and environmental education, modern foreign languages, wellbeing, key competencies and the role of parents.

NPC feedback to the NCCA on the proposed Level 1 and Level 2 programmes in the Senior Cycle redevelopment. It draws on 32 parent survey responses about programme options, learning outcomes, key competencies and assessment for students with additional needs.

April 2024 NPC submission to the NCCA covering the first consultation on new and revised Senior Cycle subjects and proposed Level 1 and Level 2 programmes. It brings together feedback from subject-specific parent surveys on curriculum content, key competencies, programme options and assessment.

NPC submission on the proposed Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies specification. Based on feedback from 40 parents, it considers creativity, performance, practical and project work, course competencies and assessment arrangements.

NPC feedback on the proposed Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development specification. Parents were asked about the subject strands, sustainability and environmental skills, key competencies and assessment options.

NPC feedback to the NCCA on the redevelopment of Leaving Certificate Business. Drawing on 67 parent survey responses, it considers subject competencies and the proposed balance between an investigative study, written examination and assessment throughout the course.

NPC summary of parental views on the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) and Leaving Certificate Applied Programme (LCAP) proposals. Based on 43 survey responses, it explores programme choice, the key competencies, assessment formats and preparation for further education and working life.

NPC submission to the public consultation on proposed childminding regulations and registration requirements. Based on a survey of 169 parents, it examines safeguarding, Garda vetting, regulation, affordability, registration and access to home-based childcare.

February 2024 NPC submission to the NCCA on the first round of Senior Cycle redevelopment. Based on a survey of 282 parents, it discusses the purpose and vision for Senior Cycle, proposed key competencies, subject changes and approaches to assessment.

NPC submission to Coimisiún na Meán on the proposed Online Safety Code for video-sharing platforms. Drawing on feedback from parents and children, it examines harmful content, moderation, platform accountability and measures to protect children using online video services.