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Education and Studies in Ireland

Education in Ireland is overseen by the Department of Education and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Below you will find the most important information, portals and support mechanisms for parents and students.

1. Information for Parents (Schools and Early Childhood)

• Early Childhood Education and Childcare

  ECCE Scheme (for children aged 2 years 8 months up to school age — 3 hours per day, 15 hours per week, 38 weeks per year); National Childcare Scheme (NCS) — financial support for parents to help cover childcare costs.

  NCS.gov.ie · Citizens Information — Childcare

• Primary and Post-Primary School

  Find a school — Gov.ie — Find a School; free primary school books — Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme; children with special educational needs (SEN) — NCSE.ie, Schooldays.ie

• School Transport and Financial Support

  School Transport Scheme — Bus Éireann — School Transport; Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance — apply through MyWelfare.ie (June–September).

2. Information for Students (Further and Higher Education)

• Applying to College (CAO)

  CAO (Central Applications Office) — applications open from November to 1 February; late applications accepted until 1 May. CAO.ie

• Tuition Fees and SUSI Grant

  Free Fees Initiative — EU/EEA citizens may study without tuition fees (only the Student Contribution Fee applies); SUSI grant covers the contribution fee and/or maintenance costs depending on income. SUSI.ie

• Further Education and Training (FET)

  PLC courses (FETAC/QQI Level 5 and 6, duration 1–2 years) — main portal: FETCHcourses.ie; further information: SOLAS.ie

• Recognition of Foreign Qualifications

  QQI/NARIC Ireland — recognition and comparison of foreign educational qualifications against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ); free service. NARIC Ireland — Foreign Qualifications

3. Practical Tips for Newcomer Parents

• The Irish School Exam System

  There are two main state exams in Ireland: the Junior Certificate (approximately 3rd year of secondary school, age ~15) and the Leaving Certificate (approximately 6th year, age ~18). It is the Leaving Cert points (CAO points) that determine entry to college.

• Transition Year (TY) — the year after Junior Cert

  In most schools TY is optional (in some it is compulsory). There are no state exams — the focus is on work experience, projects and life skills. Important: TY can cost €200–500+ per year (trips, activities) — check with the school in advance. Most students find TY valuable as it gives them time to mature before the intensive Leaving Cert years. Students who wish to progress to college sooner may skip it.

• EAL Support (English as an Additional Language)

  Children for whom English is not their first language have a legal right to additional language support in school — free of charge. Request it from the school administration. More information: PDST.ie — EAL

• School Enrolment for Newcomers — Tusla TESS

  If a family has recently arrived in Ireland and a school refuses to enrol a child or has no places available, contact Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) — it protects every child's right to education regardless of circumstances. Tusla TESS

• Free Hot School Meals

  The Hot School Meals programme is expanding and already covers many primary and secondary schools across Ireland — children receive a free hot lunch. Check whether your child's school participates: Gov.ie — Hot School Meals

• Latvian Language in the Leaving Cert — boost your CAO points

  Latvian students can sit Latvian as a language subject in the Leaving Certificate. For native speakers this is a genuine opportunity to score very highly and gain significant CAO points (Higher Level languages carry up to 100 points). Important: the school does not need a Latvian teacher — the exam is organised separately by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). Apply through the school well in advance — ideally from 5th year or earlier.

  examinations.ie — State Examinations Commission · Past exam papers (search "Latvian")