Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown
Intent: Secure a commitment from Government to provide for an additional 1,000 teachers for primary schools in the next four budgets. Ask all members of the Oireachtas to lobby the government on this matter.
Methods: Informal communicationLobby day
Details by Method
Informal communication
Deirdre O'Connor, Deputy General Secretary/General Treasurer met informally with Alan Dillon TD, at the International Labour Conference in Geneva on 8 June 2026, she lobbied him on this matter and asked for support towards 1,000 additional teachers in each of the next four budgets.
Lobby day
INTO National Lobby Day on 10 June 2026 in Buswells Hotel.
Politician(s) lobbied: Yvonne Keating (Chief Inspector), Department of Education; Patrick Sullivan (Assistant Chief Executive), National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Intent: The inspectorate gave a briefing of its current work and referred to its publication of its research report on Bullying. INTO sought updates on the following topics: • Inspections in Schools• Inspectorate support for the Redeveloped Primary Curriculum• Gaeilge, Exemptions from the study of Irish and the Action Plan for Irish in English Medium Schools• Inspectorate Consistency of Message re Relate and Behaviours of Concern
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Event / Reception
Discussion at INTO Congress on 6/7 April 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education
Intent: To progress INTO Congress Resolutions and a meeting with DEY to discuss: Reconfigurement of the operation of the whole school component of Croke Park Hours;Specific posts of responsibility to support the co-ordination (SENCOs) of inclusive education in primary schools; the development of right to disconnect policy; School grant to support the enactment of primary curriculum specifications; A timeframe for the reduction of the primary staffing schedule to 19
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
Letter dated 1 May to Bernie McNally outlining INTO's Congress Resolutions 2026 and seeking a meeting with Department of Education and Youth Officials.
Politician(s) lobbied: Yvonne Keating (Chief Inspector), Department of Education
Intent: The inspectorate gave a briefing of its current work and referred to its publication of its research report on Bullying. INTO sought updates on the following topics: • Inspections in Schools• Inspectorate support for the Redeveloped Primary Curriculum• Gaeilge, Exemptions from the study of Irish and the Action Plan for Irish in English Medium Schools• Inspectorate Consistency of Message re Relate and Behaviours of Concern
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Hosted by Yvonne Keating on 28/4/26.Inspectorate gave a briefing of its work, referred to publication of research report on bullying.INTO engaged in discussions on inspections in schools, inspectorate support for redeveloped primary curriculum; Gaeilge exemptions from the study of Irish and the Action Plan for Irish in English Medium Schools; Inspectorate Consistency of Message regarding Relate and Behaviours of Concern. Martina McLoughlin attended along with John Kearney and Helen Walsh NCSE.
Politician(s) lobbied: Patrick Sullivan (Assistant Chief Executive), National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Intent: Additional Supports and Resources for the redeveloped primary curriculum in Irish primary schools.
Methods: Informal communication
Details by Method
Informal communication
Discussion at INTO Congress 6/7 April 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: Tomás Ó Ruairc (Assistant Secretary), Department of Education
Intent: Secure funding
Methods: Informal communication
Details by Method
Informal communication
Discussion at INTO Congress on 6/7 April 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: Paul Melia (Special Advisor), Department of Education; Yvonne Keating (Chief Inspector), Department of Education; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister), Department of Education
Intent: Improve the terms and conditions of the Teacher Bereavement Leave Scheme which are currently in place.
Methods: Informal communication
Details by Method
Informal communication
Máirín explained an issue regarding bereavement leave to Paul Melia and Yvonne Keating, whilst Minister Naughton was engaging with an INTO member at Congress on 6/7 April 2026.
Politician(s) lobbied: John Kearney (Chief Executive Officer), The National Council for Special Education
Intent: Agreement on the allocation of SNAs and the appeals processes.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
John Kearney, CEO NCSE and Helen Walsh Head of Inclusion were invited to address the INTO National Committees on Education, Equality, Principals/Deputy Principals on 12 March.
Politician(s) lobbied: Bríd Murphy (Head of Policy and Communications), Teaching Council; Margaret Hynds O’Flanagan (Deputy Director), Teaching Council
Intent: That the placement of student teachers in special education placement is not assessed.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Consultation with the Teaching Council on 11 February 2026, meeting was requested by the Teaching Council to discuss the new mandatory special education placement for student teachers.
Politician(s) lobbied: Martina Mannion (Assistant Secretary), Department of Education
Intent: Resourcing of Special Education resourcing of special education, the allocation of Special Classes and forthcoming publication of the Roadmap for Inclusion.
Methods: Informal communication
Details by Method
Informal communication
Met informally whilst attending the TSI Event in Helsinki between 3 and 6 February 2026 and discussed resources for special education, the allocation of special classes and the publication of the roadmap for inclusion.
