Minister McEntee announces opening of national consultation on post-primary guidance
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 11 March 2025
- Last updated on: 11 March 2025
Minister for Education Helen McEntee today announced the opening of a wide-ranging national consultation process on guidance at post-primary level.
The process is being undertaken by the Department of Education as part of the National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance: Strategic Action Plan 2024-2030. It progresses the Programme for Government commitment to enhance guidance services in schools, as well as the Department of Education’s commitment to developing post-primary guidance as part of lifelong guidance across the country.
Minister McEntee said:
“Guidance makes a vital difference in supporting pupils and students to manage their own educational, training, occupational, personal, social, and life choices so that they are empowered and supported to reach their full potential. I’m delighted today, therefore, to launch a national research consultation in the area and encourage all stakeholders to get involved and have their say.
“Government has clearly set out its commitment to ensuring that all students in our post-primary schools have access to high-quality guidance. This consultation will help to determine the effectiveness of the guidance allocation model in our post-primary schools, with the ultimate goal of strengthening provision for our students.
“It is crucial we capture the perspectives and experiences of all who play a role in this area so we can add to the foundations on which the vision for improved guidance is built. I would like to thank all of the stakeholders for their participation in this consultation and look forward to continuing to work together to ultimately help ensure all young people in Ireland can reach their full potential.”
The consultation period will run until 5pm on 9 April. Information about the consultation is available.
Notes
In January 2022, the National Policy Group on Lifelong Guidance was established with the aim of developing a coherent long term strategic framework. The National Policy Group comprises five government departments, namely: the Department of Education: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The role of the National Policy Group is to steer the development of a coherent, long-term strategic framework for lifelong guidance, ensuring that the response to the recommendations of the Indecon report is consistent with the development of national and international approaches to lifelong guidance.
The National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance (2024-2030) outlines the vision, pillars, objectives and outcomes of lifelong guidance in Ireland over a seven-year term. The National Strategic Action Plan for Lifelong Guidance (2024-2030) outlines the strategic actions that will be undertaken at a national level, to achieve the identified outcomes.
Drawing on the collaborative approach of the National Policy Group (NPG) for Lifelong Guidance, relevant government departments and bodies are leading on the actions outlined within the strategic action plan.
Further information relevant to guidance is available at gov.ie/guidance.
A progress report on lifelong guidance provides an overview of milestones achieved over the past 12 months on the implementation of the lifelong guidance framework and action plan and of work underway to meet a cross-government commitment to progressing a shared vision of a more unified and improved guidance system.
A number of circulars and information notes have been published by the department to support and strengthen post-primary guidance.