Publication
Inspection guidelines
- Published on: 12 January 2024
- Last updated on: 30 June 2025
- Inspection Policy
- Guide to Early Years Education Inspections
- Guide to Inspection in Primary and Special Schools
- Guide to Inspection in Post-Primary Schools
- Child protection and safeguarding inspections
- Guide to Inspection in Special Care Units and Children Detention Centres
- Guide to evaluation in Youthreach Provision in Centres for Education and Community Training Centres
- Guide to Evaluations of Settings funded by the Department of Education other than Recognised Schools
- Coláistí Gaeilge
- Inspection Report Forms
- Guidelines to the Publication of School Inspection Reports
- Procedures for Review of Inspections on Schools and Teachers under Section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998
- Code of Practice for the Inspectorate
- Guide for the Evaluation of Remote Teaching and Learning
- Supporting the Safe Provision of Schooling 2021
Inspection Policy
Inspection Policy
The Inspection Policy of the Inspectorate outlines its functions, inspection types, standards, principles and inspection policy actions.
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Guide to Early Years Education Inspections
A Guide to Early Years Education Inspection (EYEI) — Updated January 2025
This guide outlines how the Inspectorate of the department conducts early years education inspection. It replaces the previous versions of the guide published in 2016, 2018 and 2022.
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Guide to Inspection in Primary and Special Schools
A Guide to Inspection in Primary and Special Schools — Updated February 2025
This guide provides a general overview of the approach to inspection followed by the Department of Education Inspectorate and also an outline of each of the inspection types used in primary and special schools. It replaces the previous version published in 2022.
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Guide to Inspection in Post-Primary Schools
A Guide to Inspection in Post-Primary Schools — Updated February 2025
This guide provides a general overview of the approach to inspection followed by the Department of Education Inspectorate and also an outline of each of the inspection types used in post-primary schools. It replaces the previous version published in 2022.
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Child protection and safeguarding inspections
Guide to Inspection in Special Care Units and Children Detention Centres
A Guide to Inspections in Special Care Units and Children Detention Centres —Revised October 2024
This guide replaces the previous version of the guide (2013) which has been reviewed in the light of experience and in consultation with the education partners. It sets out the practices and procedures involved in the inspection of schools at SCUs and CDCs which are effective from September 2016.
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Guide to evaluation in Youthreach Provision in Centres for Education and Community Training Centres
Guide to Evaluations of Youthreach Provision in Centres for Education and Community Training Centres
This guide provides a general overview of the approach to whole-centre inspection — April 2024
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Guide to Evaluations of Settings funded by the Department of Education other than Recognised Schools
Guide to Evaluations of Settings funded by the Department of Education other than Recognised Schools — January 2024
This guide was developed following consultation with the education partners and sets out the approach to evaluations in settings funded by the Department of Education other than recognised schools.
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Coláistí Gaeilge
Guide to Inspections of Courses in Irish-Language Colleges (Coláistí Gaeilge) — Updated 2025
This Guide provides information on the model of inspection used by the Inspectorate of the Department of Education (DE) to evaluate educational provision in courses provided by Irish-language colleges.
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Inspection Report Forms
Guidelines to the Publication of School Inspection Reports
Publication of School Inspection Reports – Guidelines
These guidelines set out the general principles and procedures in accordance with which the Inspectorate publishes school inspection reports.
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Procedures for Review of Inspections on Schools and Teachers under Section 13(9) of the Education Act 1998
Code of Practice for the Inspectorate
Code of Practice for the Inspectorate — December 2024
This document sets out the general principles and standards in accordance with which the Department of Education Inspectorate carries out its work. It replaces the previous version published in 2015.
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