New research examines the development of education policy in Ireland 1990-2025

A new paper published in (opens in a new window)Irish Educational Studies analyses the strengths and shortcomings of education policy in Ireland, and proposes a pragmatic approach to help the education system meet the needs and challenges of society today.

The article presents perspectives from three individuals with unique insights and experiences in the field: Judith Harford, Professor of Education at UCD; Richard Bruton, former Minister for Education and research economist; and Dr Brian Fleming, a former second-level teacher, now an academic working in the area of education. 

With a focus on mainstream primary and second-level education, the research tracks major influences on the Irish educational system - from the Catholic Church to the OECD - and how policy-making approaches have evolved since the 1990s, offering insights into why meaningful reform still proves difficult.  

While the authors acknowledge the many strengths of the system, they conclude that it falls short particularly on evidence-based analysis of its performance, and the provision of sufficient access to supports and evaluation tools for education providers. Drawing attention to enduring patterns of inequality in the system, they argue that future reforms must prioritise strategic capacity building, school-level agency, and address the deeper power dynamics that continue to shape the contours of education policy.

The paper calls for a fundamental shift towards proactive policy leadership, including a major expansion of policy-making capacity across the Department and comprehensive reassessment of the role, resources, and organisational structure of the Inspectorate, which continues to serve as the Department’s primary source of educational expertise.

Read the full paper here: (opens in a new window)https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03323315.2026.