Ireland is preparing for a significant new step in special education policy, with gov.ie confirming the creation of a National Forum on Inclusive Education for students with special educational needs. Announced by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan, the new body is due to begin work in September 2026 and is expected to shape how inclusive schooling develops across the country.
The move, led through the Education system, is designed to bring together disability advocates, education stakeholders, government representatives and independent experts. Its goal is to build a shared national understanding of inclusive education in Ireland and recommend practical actions that can better support children and young people in mainstream schools, special classes and special schools.
Inclusive Education forum to guide Ireland’s next phase of policy
The new Inclusive Education forum will operate for around six months and report jointly to the ministers responsible for Education and special education. Secretariat support will come from the Department of Education’s Special Education Section, while Professor Noel Purdy, Director of Research and Scholarship at Stranmillis University College, has been appointed as chair.
The forum is intended to support Ireland’s wider obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and follows policy advice from the National Council for Special Education. That advice has consistently pointed toward a system where children can attend school in their local communities wherever possible, with the right supports in place.
- Develop a shared Irish vision for inclusive education
- Identify practical steps for schools and policymakers
- Strengthen supports across mainstream and specialist settings
- Inform future government decisions on special education
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What the Inclusive Education forum will examine
According to the announcement on gov.ie, the Inclusive Education forum will focus on several key areas that affect students, families and schools. These include the day-to-day reality of inclusion in classrooms as well as the systems needed to support it over time.
Priority themes under review
- Inclusive leadership in schools
- Teacher professional learning and development
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- Better transitions across the education continuum
- Whole-school approaches to inclusion
- Sharing good practice and successful pilot projects
This work matters because most students with additional needs are already educated in mainstream schools, while others rely on special classes and special schools for more complex support. The forum is expected to look at how inclusion can be strengthened without weakening the role of specialist provision.
That point was underlined by Minister Moynihan, who stressed that inclusive education should not be seen as a reduced role for special schools. Instead, the process is aimed at reinforcing the full continuum of support available across Ireland.
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Why this matters for families, schools and government
The establishment of the Inclusive Education forum signals a more structured national conversation about what inclusion should look like in practice. It also reflects broader cooperation across public bodies, with relevance not only to Education but also to areas such as Children/Disability/Equality, Social Protection, Health Service Executive (HSE), and citizen-facing information services often accessed through agencies listed on gov.ie.
For parents and educators, the main outcome to watch will be the final report. It is expected to set out:
- A shared definition of inclusive education in Ireland
- Agreed national priorities
- Short-, medium- and long-term actions
- Examples of effective practice already working in schools
- Advice for future government policy
In practical terms, the Inclusive Education forum could help shape how resources, teacher training and school supports are planned in the coming years. As Ireland continues to refine its approach, this process may become one of the most important recent developments in special educational needs policy on gov.ie.
FAQs on the new Inclusive Education forum
When will the forum begin?
The forum is scheduled to begin its work in September 2026.
Who will lead it?
Professor Noel Purdy has been appointed chair of the forum.
How long will it run?
The body is expected to operate for approximately six months before producing its report.
Will special schools remain part of the system?
Yes. The government has said special schools will continue to play an important role, alongside mainstream schools and special classes.
Ultimately, the new Inclusive Education forum marks a serious effort by government to turn debate into practical policy. If it delivers clear recommendations and realistic actions, it could help Ireland build a more joined-up and responsive system for every learner. Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
