Cork Parents Urged to Shape Future of Primary Education in Landmark Survey
Cork parents urged to complete landmark primary school survey by 16th December. Your views will shape the future of education in your community.
Parents and guardians across Cork are being called upon to participate in the largest survey of its kind ever undertaken in Ireland, which will directly influence the future of primary school provision in the county.
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee today urged families to take part in the comprehensive online survey, which opened on 4 November and runs until 16 December 2025.
The survey seeks views from parents, guardians, primary school staff, and boards of management on key aspects of school provision, including patronage, co-education, and Irish-medium education.
The initiative marks a significant step in expanding parental choice and ensuring that school options reflect the needs and preferences of local families across Cork.
Minister McEntee said:
"Our education system must reflect our society but more importantly, it must respond to what parents want for their children. That is why I have launched the largest ever survey of parents and guardians of pre-school and primary-school students, to determine what type of education they would like to see for their child.
This is the first time parents, guardians, teachers and board members across every primary school community in Cork and throughout Ireland have the opportunity to clearly express what kind of school they wish to see in their area. I strongly encourage everyone to take part to help ensure that our education system not only reflects our society but, more importantly, responds to what parents want for their children."
The survey is open to parents and guardians of children who are either currently in primary school or have yet to start, as well as primary school staff and members of primary school boards of management.
The survey asks participants about their preferences regarding co-educational versus single-sex schools, denominational versus multi-denominational patronage, and whether they prefer education primarily through English or Irish.
All responses will remain confidential and anonymous. In areas where parents express interest in alternative provision, the Department of Education will provide direct support, including the appointment of a facilitator to work with boards, staff and parents.
To assist with practical implementation, once-off funding of up to €5,000 will be available to each participating school to cover costs such as updating signage, stationery, or websites.
Recent examples of primary schools across Ireland which have undergone changes include Nenagh Community National School in Tipperary, which changed patronage to Tipperary Education and Training Board in 2022, and Scoil Iosáf and Courtenay NS in Newcastle West, Limerick, which both transitioned to co-educational status from September 2025.
Minister McEntee added:
"Your input will directly influence decisions about the types of schools available in Cork, helping to create an education system that reflects the values and priorities of your local community. Filling out the survey is quick, easy and confidential."
Initial high-level summary results will be published in early 2026.
The survey can be completed at www.gov.ie/primaryschoolsurvey. For parents unable to complete an online survey, the department can be contacted at schoolsurvey@education.gov.ie for assistance.
