Primary School Survey

Calling all primary school and pre-school parents – have your say on the future of your primary school at gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey

The Department of Education and Youth is inviting parents and guardians across Ireland to take part in the largest ever survey on primary school provision. 

This short, online survey, asks for your views on:

• Whether your school should be co-educational or single-sex
• Whether your school should operate under a denominational or multi-denominational patron
• Whether your school should provide education primarily through the English language or Irish language

 Why take part?
Your input will help shape decisions about school provision in your area, ensuring that schools reflect the needs and values of local communities. Every response matters.

Who can complete the survey?

• Parents and guardians of children currently in primary school
• Parents and guardians of children who have not yet started primary school
• Primary school staff and Board of Management members

Survey details:

• Complete online:

All responses are confidential and anonymous. The results of the survey will help the Department of Education and Youth plan how it provides education at primary level. Initial high-level summary results will be published in early 2026. Where there is clear support from parents and guardians for change to be considered, a further process of inclusive dialogue will begin.

Your voice matters – please take a few minutes to complete the survey and encourage others to do the same. 

Additional information

What is the Primary School Survey?

The Primary School Survey asks parents, guardians, school staff and boards of management members their preference about the primary schools in which they work, or in which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years. The Department of Education and Youth will use the results of the survey to plan how we provide education at primary level, and to ensure that schools meet the needs of their local communities.

Why is the Department of Education and Youth undertaking this survey?

School communities are reflective of the rich and diverse society we live in. In the context of the evolving environment within which schools are operating, the availability of up-to-date data and in particular, clear data on the preferences of parents and guardians in respect of the primary schools which their children currently attend, or will attend in coming years, is very important. The results of the survey will help the department in planning education provision at primary level. 

What will the survey ask?

The short, online, school-specific, survey asks a small number of questions, including the following:

• Would you prefer your primary school to be a co-educational school or a single-sex school?
• Would you prefer your primary school to operate under a denominational (religious) patron or to operate under a multi-denominational (non-religious) patron?
• Would you prefer your primary school to provide education primarily through the English language or through the Irish language?

When will the survey results be available?

Initial high-level summary results will be published in early 2026.