Department of Education and Youth Primary School Survey Moves to Next Stage

As part of a national process led by the Department of Education and Youth, primary schools across Ireland now have until 31 October 2026 to decide whether they wish to be included in the first group of schools that will act on the findings of the recent Primary School Survey.

The Department’s Primary School Survey, carried out in late 2025 and published in June 2026, gathered the views of parents and guardians on the type of primary school provision they would like to see in their area, including school ethos, co-education and language of instruction.

Across Cavan and Monaghan, there are 137 mainstream primary schools. Analysis of the survey results by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) identified four schools, three in Co. Cavan and one in Co. Monaghan, where a majority of respondents indicated a preference for multi-denominational education and where at least 40% of families took part in the survey.

Earlier this summer, schools received their individual survey results to help them consider local preferences and future school provision. One option available to schools is a transfer of patronage to a Community National School (CNS).

Community National Schools are State-run, co-educational and multi-denominational primary schools under the patronage of local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Like all primary schools, they follow the national Primary School Curriculum and welcome children from all backgrounds, beliefs and traditions.

There are currently 33 Community National Schools across Ireland. Further information is available at www.cns.ie.

Education and Training Boards are public bodies responsible for a wide range of education services, including Community National Schools, post-primary schools, special schools, youth services, and further education and training.

Schools wishing to pursue a change of patronage from September 2027 must notify both the Department of Education and Youth and their current patron by 31 October 2026.