The Department of Education and Youth () is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Education and Youth.
Departmental team The official headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are at Marlborough Street, Dublin. The departmental team consists of the following: Minister for Education and Youth: Hildegarde Naughton, TD Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth with special responsibility for special education and inclusion: Michael Moynihan, TD Secretary General: Bernie McNally
Overview The department has the following divisions: Internal Audit Special Education, NEPS and Redress People Division Finance, Corporate Services, Communications and Parents and Learners Schools, Social Inclusion and Youth Corporate Services Planning and Building Unit Curriculum and Assessment Major Operations Chief Information Officer Chief Inspector of Education
Aegis bodies The following bodies are under the aegis of the department:
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta Educational Research Centre National Council for Curriculum and Assessment State Examinations Commission Teaching Council National Council for Special Education CARANUA - Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Residential Institutions Redress Board Residential Institutions Review Committee
History In the revolutionary period, the position was established by Dáil Éireann in 1920 as the Minister for Irish. This was expanded as the Secretary for Education in the Government of the 2nd Dáil.
It was provided a statutory basis by the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, passed soon after the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. This act provided it with:
It also assigned it with the following branches of administration: The Commissioners of National Education in Ireland The Intermediate Education Board for Ireland The Commissioners of Education in Ireland (Endowed Schools) The Inspector of Reformatory and Industrial Schools The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland (business and functions relating to Technical Instruction only). The College of Science The Geological Survey in Ireland The National Museum of Science and Art The National Library of Ireland The National Gallery of Ireland The Metropolitan School of Art Meteorological Services
In the early years of the state, the main focus was on running the national school primary system. Free secondary education was provided from 1968. The department also had the task of overseeing reformatory and industrial schools from 1922. The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, which reported in 2009 (the "Ryan Report"), found that this was rarely achieved.
The department's headquarters were situated within the grounds of Tyrone House, Dublin in what was formerly the home of the National Education Commissioners.
Alteration of name and transfer of functions The name and functions of the department have changed by means of statutory instruments. DateEffect2 June 1924Establishment of the Department of Education9 October 1936Transfer of Meteorological Services to the Department of Industry and Commerce13 July 1943Allocation of the Genealogical Office27 January 1984Transfer of the National Gallery and National Museum to the Department of the Taoiseach10 June 1986Transfer of the National Library of Ireland to the Department of the Taoiseach1 October 1997Renamed as the Department of Education and Science25 June 2002Transfer of the Genealogical Office to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism1 May 2010Transfer of Skills Training from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment1 May 2010Transfer of Research to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment2 May 2010Renamed as the Department of Education and Skills11 May 2011Transfer of the National Education Welfare Board to the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs21 October 2020Transfer of Further and Higher Education to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science22 October 2020Renamed as the Department of Education1 January 2021Transfer of Education Welfare from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth1 May 2025Transfer of Youth from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth2 May 2025Renamed as the Department of Education and Youth
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